NFL Playoffs: Michael Vick vs. Clay Matthews and 10 Key Match Ups This Weekend

The key in almost every sport is the matchup. If one is strong while the other is weak,  the strong  will most likely have success.

This weekend's wild card games feature a number of excellent matchups, which will be key for four teams in moving on to the divisional round next week.

Join B/R as we take a look at 10 of this weekend's most important and intriguing match ups.

Reggie Wayne vs Darelle Revis

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 27: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts tries to make a reception behind Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 27, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets handed the Colts their first l

Reggie Wayne is no doubt Peyton Manning's No. 1 guy in the Indy passing attack. Wayne caught 111 passes for 1,355 yards in 2010.

Darelle Revis is the Jets' best defensive back and is known for shutting down the league's best receivers.

This match up is inevitable, as Wayne is the Colts' most experienced and talented receiver not currently banged up.

Ray Lewis vs Jamaal Charles

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates as he leaves the field after their game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty

Ray Lewis has been the most dominant linebacker in the NFL over the past decade and leads his Ravens Sunday on the road against Kansas City.

Jamaal Charles is the poster boy for the Chiefs' power rushing attack, which has played a huge role in their 10-win season.

Though Lewis will have plenty of help from guys like Terrell Suggs and Jarrett Johnson, he will still be the engine in the middle that drives the defense.

Michael Vick vs Clay Matthews

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers encourages the crowd during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan

The most explosive play making quarterback in NFL history will have a tough task on Sunday when he, Michael Vick, faces the ever-evolving Green Bay Packers defense.

Clay Matthews will be the key for Green Bay, rushing from the edge. His 13.5 sacks lead the league at one point this season.

Vick's ability to escape the pocket under pressure will ultimately decide this game. It will be up to Matthews to contain him and force him into bad situations.

Reggie Bush vs Seattle's Defense/Special Teams

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints in action during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Reggie Bush has quietly been working his way back from a broken leg suffered back in Week 2. Bush's statistics in the season's final weeks were anything but spectacular, however he did manage 70 yards on nine rushing attempts in Week 17.

Seattle is not a big play team, so giving them up will hurt even more. A matchup that could ultimately open eyes this Saturday night is Reggie Bush versus the defense or punt coverage team of Seattle.

Bush is a nightmare for opponents to bringt down on punt returns and can change the game just by lining up five yards in the back field.

Mark Sanchez vs Indianapolis' Defensive Ends

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 04: Robert Mathis #98 and Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts react after Mathis sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots in the third quarter of their game on November 4, 2007 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind

Mark Sanchez would prefer to hand off to Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson all night on Saturday. But at some point, he will have to drop back, and when he does Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will be coming.

Freeney and Mathis combine to form one of the best defensive end tandems in the NFL.  Both are superb pass rushers who, along with the rest of the Colts' defense, play well with the lead.

If New York gets behind in this game and Sanchez has to drop back more often, then Indy will have more opportunities for Freeney and Mathis to make a big sack or force a turnover.

Matt Cassel vs Ed Reed

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Matt Cassel is starting the first playoff game of his career on Sunday. Ed Reed, on the other hand, has been around the block a few times.

Reed missed the first six games of 2010 before coming back to lead the league in interceptions with eight. If the NFL gave out a "Defensive Playmaker of the Year" award, then Reed would win in a landslide.

Cassel is a talented young quarterback with plenty of options for his passing game, including Dwayne Bowe, who lead the league in receiving touchdowns with 15.

However, I've seen this before—young quarterback against experienced playof team.  Results will be the same.

Aaron Rodgers vs Philadelphia's Safeties

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Quintin Mikell #27 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field during player introductions against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty I

The Eagles' secondary will have a difficult task in slowing down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' passing attack.

Rodgers is coming off of two stellar performances in games the Packers had to win, and now Green Bay's offense enters Lincoln Financial Field with a world of confidence.

Philadelphia's secondary has taken a beating all season long because they give up big plays in the passing game, but expect them to tighten up for the postseason.

Quintin Mikell and Kurt Coleman will play pivotal roles for the Eagles' defense, as both will be responsible for eliminating big plays from the Packers and creating their own.

Matt Hasselbeck vs Jonathan Vilma

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Hasselbeck is expected to start for the Seahawks this weekend. He is coming off an injury that has limited his production in recent outings.

New Orleans' Jonathan Vilma will be key for the Saints' defense in defending Hasselbeck in the passing game.

Vilma lead the team in 2010 with 105 tackles and is a constant threat in the middle of the Saints' defense.

Hasselbeck must take care of the ball and keep the Saints defense on the field for long drives if the Seahawks are to have a chance. Very much easier said than done, considering the Saints are the defending Super Bowl champions.

Ray Rice vs Kansas City's Front Seven

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey #72 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a sack in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Baltimore's Ray Rice has developed into one of the league's most talented running backs and a gifted playmaker.

The Kansas City Chiefs' front seven has been assigned the challenge of stopping Rice this Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead.

The Chiefs' defense is middle of the pack statistically, however,  they play superbly at home with players like Glenn Dorsey and Derrick Johnson leading the way.

If Ray Rice can get free a few times, then the Ravens will likely win easily. But if the Kansas City front seven can contain him, then the Chiefs will have an excellent chance of moving on.

DeSean Jackson vs Charles Woodson

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers looks on against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)

DeSean Jackson, the "Offensive Playmaker of the Year" award winner (in my book), has been a force for the Eagles' offense and special teams.

Jackson won a game at the horn in New York a few weeks ago that locked up the division for Philadelphia.

The man who will be in charge of making sure that does not happen on Sunday? Charles Woodson.

Woodson is, all-around, the Packers' best defender. He can cover anyone, make tackles in the running game and sack the quarterback while coming off the edge.

If Woodson can get the better of Jackson in this one, then the Packers should have a good chance of limiting the Eagles' passing threat. If not, then there will be plenty of green for Jackson to navigate.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.