Baltimore vs. Cincinnati: 5 Matchups to Watch When the Ravens Meet the Bengals

NFL regular-season games rarely have higher stakes than Week 17's matchup between the Ravens and the Bengals.

If the Bengals win, they clinch a shocking playoff berth; if the Ravens win, they clinch a first-round bye and a home playoff game.

Both teams consider this game a must-win.

Both teams feature a blend of young, explosive talent and veteran leadership.

Ultimately, the difference between the two teams will come down to which team can win their individual matchups.

So which team's stars will step up and decide this game?

Here are five key matchups that will decide this game.

Lardarius Webb vs. A.J. Green

When the Bengals and the Ravens played earlier this year, A.J. Green was out with an injury. Losing a player as talented as Green made a significant impact on the Bengals' offense and may have kept Cincinnati from having a fighting chance.

On Sunday, though, Green will be healthy and ready to face the Ravens' vaunted pass-defense. Lardarius Webb, the Ravens' best corner, should be given the task of covering Green. With Cary Williams potentially limited, Green will constantly be seeing Webb throughout the day.

Webb has had an elite year for the Ravens, but he has yet to play a unique talent like Green. His unique blend of size and speed has led Terrell Suggs to liken Green to a young Randy Moss.

Webb plays much bigger than his listed size, and he can match Green in speed step for step. Green is too talented not to make an impact, but Webb should be able to limit the damage Green inflicts on the Ravens' defense.

Ben Grubbs vs. Geno Atkins

Geno Atkins has quietly become one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, leading the Bengals with eight sacks. Atkins has become a difference-maker on that defensive line, and Ben Grubbs will need to be up to the task of dealing with him.

Atkins isn't especially big, but he's quick and disruptive, and he had one of his best games of the year against the Ravens in Week 11. He made numerous plays in the backfield, including a sack of Joe Flacco.

The Ravens will need to neutralize Atkins if they hope to run the ball consistently and give Flacco time to pass. Grubbs has had a good year, but he will have his hands full against Atkins.

Terrell Suggs vs. Andrew Whitworth

Defensive Player of the Year candidate Terrell Suggs will need to have a big game if the Ravens hope to limit Andy Dalton. To get pressure, he will need to get through Andrew Whitworth, the Bengals' very good left tackle.

Whitworth has been stellar for the Bengals the past two years, allowing only seven sacks combined the past two years. His efforts have led to the Bengals allowing only 24 sacks this year.

Clearly, Suggs will have his hands full, but he will need to win this matchup for the Ravens to get pressure on Dalton. As good as Dalton has been, no rookie quarterback plays well under assault, making the pass-rush that much more important on Sunday.

Ray Lewis vs. Cedric Benson

The emotional leader of the Ravens' defense will have his unit fired up after surrendering more than 90 yards to both Ryan Mathews and Peyton Hillis the past two weeks.

Cedric Benson has had considerable success against the Ravens in the past, though lately they have held him in check. Benson is only a marginal NFL running back, but his size and decisiveness have given the Ravens trouble in the past.

Look for Ray Lewis and Benson to explosively collide numerous times throughout this contest. The Ravens' defense is too good to allow big yards to such a slow running back, but if Benson breaks a few tackles, he could surprise with a good performance. Lewis will need to make sure this doesn't happen.

Joe Flacco vs. Mike Zimmer

Mike Zimmer is one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, and what he has done with the Bengals' defense deserves a great deal of praise. He has specifically led his defense to numerous great performances against Joe Flacco and the Ravens.

Flacco has struggled against the Bengals' Cover 2 in the past and, further, Flacco has not played well the past few weeks. Zimmer should be able to take advantage of Flacco's recent struggles, and the Bengals' defense should be able to stop the Ravens' passing game.

Running the football won't be enough to beat the Bengals. Flacco will need to avoid mistakes and convert third downs if the Ravens hope to put points on the board. To do this, Flacco and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will need to outsmart Zimmer.

However, it will not be an easy task.