Tonight's game between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers will be all about matchups. Head coaches Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy are masters at finding and exploiting mismatches in opposing defenses.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune
Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

Here are a few key matchups to watch in tonight's contest:

1. Jermichael Finley vs. the Saints LBs: The Saints struggled mightily to cover tight ends last season. Who can forget the field day Seahawks tight end John Carlson had against them in the playoffs last season? Finley is a big-time talent. It'll be interesting to see how Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams chooses to defend him -- with a safety or linebacker. He'll likely use a variety of coverages to try to thwart Finley. Regardless, the Saints will need to know where Finley lines up at all times. He's a difference-maker.

2. Charles Woodson vs. the Saints offense: The loss of Lance Moore is big for the Saints. He's a critical weapon in their attack. Without having to worry about Moore, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers can choose to either match Woodson one-on-one against No. 1 receiver Marques Colston or turn him loose as a wild card in coverage and the pass rush.

3. B.J. Raji vs. Saints interior line: The third-year nose tackle is a load inside. At 6-2, 337 pounds, he can overpower most interior offensive linemen. New Saints center Olin Kreutz has experience playing against Kreutz but is facing a 45-pound weight disadvantage. Look for the Saints to help Kreutz by using one of their dominant guards, Carl Nicks or Jahri Evans, to double-team Raji.

4. Zach Strief vs. Clay Matthews Jr.: Payton will have a plan for Matthews. He'll likely will give Strief some help in pass protection against the ferocious Matthews, who is one of the top rushers in the league. Matthews boats a potent blend of speed and power and makes as many big plays as any defender in the league. Strief is in his first season as a full-time starter and gets thrown right into the fire.

5. Mark Ingram vs. the Packers defense: The Saints need the rookie running back to play big. The Packers defense can be vulnerable on the ground. Ingram and veteran Pierre Thomas must muster some semblence of a ground attack to keep the pressure off quarterback Drew Brees. The Packers will also test Ingram in pass protection to make sure he knows his assignments. This is about as daunting a debut as a rookie can face.

NOLA.com : Five key matchups to watch in the New Orleans Saints-Green Bay game