Week 17 matchups: Vikings' Sullivan vs. Packers' Raji big for AP

Vikings C John Sullivan vs. Packers DT B.J. Raji: Sullivan is the key inside to getting Adrian Peterson all those yards. He is having a Pro Bowl season, even if he isn't going. Raji is coming off a nice stretch of games. He is a power tackle who hasn't played to expectations for the past two seasons but can be dominant at times. He will be key to slowing Peterson.

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant vs. Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall: Bryant has been on a tear, especially against man coverage. The Redskins love to gamble and play man coverage, and Hall is the best at it. But leaving him on Bryant would be a huge risk for the Redskins.

Ravens RG Marshal Yanda vs. Bengals DT Geno Atkins: These two are arguably among the best at their positions. Atkins isn't getting enough attention as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Yanda keys the Ravens' run game. Atkins has had a few good games against Yanda.

Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware vs. Redskins T Trent Williams: Ware is banged up, but he is expected to play. He has to do a good job of keeping Robert Griffin III contained. He has to be aware on those zone reads. Williams has had an impressive season as both a run blocker and in pass protection.

Dolphins DE Cameron Wake vs. Patriots RT Sebastian Vollmer: Vollmer is having a Pro Bowl season, but right tackles don't go. Wake is going to the Pro Bowl, and he earned it. He is one of the best pass rushers in the league. If Tom Brady is to stay clean, Vollmer has to play well.

Lions WR Calvin Johnson vs. Bears CB Charles Tillman: Johnson is having a huge year, but Tillman has been a big playmaker on the other side. Tillman has the size to match up with Johnson, but he will get help. Nobody can handle Johnson in man coverage all day. Tillman has been bothered by injuries that limited him in practice.

Texans RTs Derek Newton and Ryan Harris vs. Colts OLB Robert Mathis: Newton had big problems last week against the Vikings. Now he and Harris, who rotate, have to go against a Pro Bowl edge rusher in Mathis. Newton and Harris have to play better than they did a week ago, or it's going to be a long day for Matt Schaub.

Colts WR Reggie Wayne vs. Texans CB Johnathan Joseph: The Texans have had big problems against the pass this season vs. good quarterbacks. Joseph has battled through some injury issues and has struggled at times. Wayne is Andrew Luck's go-to guy and is still playing at a high level. The Texans love to play a lot of man, so he will get chances.

Vikings S Harrison Smith vs. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: Smith has emerged as a big playmaker as a rookie. He has the range you want from a free safety. When you play Rodgers, you need that. Rodgers is so good with his eyes that he can move young safeties and they need the speed to react.

Giants CB Corey Webster vs. Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin: Webster had a real rough go of it last week against the Ravens. Now he has to bounce back against Maclin, who has come on lately. Webster needs to get help from the front, which hasn't rushed well this season. If Michael Vick gets outside contain, it could lead to big plays for Maclin.