Ravens in a rout

Baltimore should handily defeat Minnesota in MNF finale

Will the Vikings come into Baltimore Monday night with their bags already packed for the winter? It's a distinct possibility considering that Dennis Green has already hit the road.

Green was a strong leader during his 10-year tenure as Minnesota's head coach and there will be very few -- if any -- sighs of relief in the Vikings' locker room that he's gone. Beyond that, Minnesota has lost 14 of its last 20 games -- Green found out that's not a good way to make a living -- and many of his former players are going to find out the same thing once the season is over.

In outdoor games at this time of the year, you have to be realistic about what you can pull off on offense. In the Vikings' case, that could be very little. Spergon Wynn will finish the season at quarterback because Todd Bouman's thumb hasn't healed. Wynn went 1 for 10 in the first half last week as Cris Carter and Randy Moss combined for three receptions for 21 yards. Big fullback Jim Kleinsasser won't play with an ankle injury and Michael Bennett is questionable so that leaves Doug Chapman, who rushed five times for nine yards against the Packers.

The Ravens will be looking to create momentum heading into the postseason. With 74 yards last week against a tough Tampa Bay unit, Terry Allen seems to have fresh legs ready for a playoff run. Look for all-purpose defender Kailee Wong to be around the football most of the night in his final audition for the upcoming free agency season.

Elvis Grbac really can't be considered the upgrade he was supposed to be but he has an emerging star at wideout in Travis Taylor. If Grbac can avoid interceptions and not give away some cheap scores to the Vikings, he could enter the playoffs with a sorely needed confidence boost.

So what do I expect at Monday night? Offensive line coach Mike Tice steps in as Minnesota's interim head coach with an offense that ran the ball in its first 11 plays last week to protect Wynn. If the Vikings try that again, they'll have very little success. Baltimore is all business now and Minnesota, at 0-7 on the road this year, is all done. I like the Ravens in a lopsided win.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com.

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