Manning-to-Plaxico broken ... or is it just Eli?

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Plaxico Burress is not one to hold back his feelings. On the field he'll pout, holler and emote like a high-maintenance actor who just discovered his lines were cut. Against Minnesota, Burress had one momentary, teeny-tiny hissy fit.

Eli Manning heads off the field after his disastrous 4-INT performance. (US Presswire)

In the opening quarter of what would turn out to be a rollicking 41-17 Big Blue disaster at the hands of the Vikings, Burress dragged toward the middle of the field and then glanced back at quarterback Eli Manning. For a solid two seconds Burress was wide open. Burress gestured to get Manning's attention like an excited Jets fan who had just seen a fresh pair of Gate D boobies.

Manning didn't see Burress and threw the ball elsewhere. Burress stood motionless for a moment, incredulous, and then hurriedly unbuttoned his chin strap while staring down Manning from across the field.

Manning at times was so sloppy with the football, it wasn't just Burress who should have given him dirty looks. The entire Giants team should have. Manning ended up throwing four interceptions, with three of them returned for touchdowns of 93, 37 and 20 yards. That was a single-game team record for the Vikings and one score shy of tying a 23-year-old league mark.

"I wish there was some simple explanation for this game, but there wasn't, there isn't," said a disgusted Tom Coughlin afterward.

There is. Body snatchers kidnapped Manning and replaced him with Ryan Leaf.

Coughlin said the giants provided the Vikings with a "gift-wrapped win." That's true, and it was a gift wrapped in flaming, broiling hell.

Oh, wait. There goes another Manning pick for a touchdown.

"It wasn't good," said Manning of his performance. "When you throw four interceptions it's never a good day."

Indeed, you know it was a bad day when the Minnesota defense looked like it was running up the score.

Eli's brother Peyton was in town and watched the game from the stands. Rumor has it while viewing the monstrosity, even Peyton puked.

Don't worry Eli. Your brother threw six picks this year against San Diego. You at least get interception bragging rights at the next family gathering.

It's too early to say if this stunning win will propel the Vikings to the postseason, but it's a good bet it might. Minnesota gets the Incredible Bulk -- Adrian Peterson -- back soon along with a fairly easy schedule. What is not in question is that right now the Vikings might be one of the more dangerous teams in the conference.