If anybody has been clearer about how things needed to change fast for the New York Giants, it has been their owner, John Mara.
After winning their fourth championship in 2012, the Giants have been one of the league's worst teams. They have gone to the postseason just twice since their Super Bowl victory and have lost 10 more games in nine of their 13 seasons.
It has led to Mara publicly expressing his frustrations with the team, which was once a proud franchise. And with the longtime owner now facing a new challenge, having been diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago, New York's primetime victory on Thursday night had a bit more meaning for the 70-year-old.
Brian Daboll honors John Mara with game ball after emotional Giants win
The Giants picked up their biggest win in quite a while on Thursday when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles (the reigning Super Bowl champions) in decisive fashion, 34-17. Despite being very thin at wide receiver and having lost their last eight division games, Big Blue, led by their rookie stars, Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, lifted the Giants to their second win of the season.
While Dart and Skattebo were perhaps the main factors in the Giants' offensive success, head coach Brian Daboll gave the game ball to Mara, who is in the middle of the biggest fight of his life.
It was a touching moment between Daboll and Mara, especially with the fourth-year head coach facing increasing pressure from ownership to deliver results this season. Daboll was able to use this win over their division rival to rally behind Mara.
As the Giants were able to pick up a much-needed victory to get them to 2-4 on the season and maybe save their season for at least right now, perhaps this win for the G-Men can be the start of something special brewing, which could also motivate their owner, who is battling a devastating disease.