THE GIANTS’ THURSDAY NIGHT CRISIS: When Winning Became Ancient History
This image is a viral meme that uses humorous yet bittersweet comparisons to highlight the New York Giants’ long losing streak in games broadcast on Thursday nights (Thursday Night Football – TNF).
The Meme’s Content
The top section of the meme lists several notable events that were happening (or hadn’t happened yet) the last time the Giants won a TNF game, which was on September 24, 2015, with a score of 32-21 against the Washington team (then known as the Washington Commanders).
The key comparison points include:
- Eli Manning was at QB: The legend Eli Manning was still the team’s starting Quarterback.
- Josh Allen was a freshman at Wyoming: Josh Allen, now one of the NFL’s premier QBs (Buffalo Bills), was only a college freshman at the University of Wyoming.
- Black Ops 3 hadn’t been released: The popular video game Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 had not yet been released.
- The Rams were still in St. Louis: The Los Angeles Rams, currently a top-tier team in California, were still based in St. Louis.
- Jaxson Dart was 12 years old: Jaxson Dart, a promising college football QB (Ole Miss), was just a 12-year-old boy.
Analysis and Significance
1. The Depth of the Drought:
The main purpose of the meme is to create a sense of how much time has passed. By invoking cultural touchstones (video games, team relocation, player age), the creator emphasizes that the Giants’ last TNF victory belongs to an “ancient era” in NFL history.
2. Nostalgia for the Eli Manning Era:
Centering the image on Eli Manning in his number 10 jersey during the 2015 win serves as a poignant reminder that the team’s most recent small success was tied to his tenure. This inadvertently highlights the struggles of the QBs and coaching staffs in the subsequent years.
3. Struggles Under the Spotlight:
Thursday Night Football games are often the most watched games of the week. The prolonged losing streak on TNF suggests the Giants have consistently failed to perform under the pressure of the national spotlight, a symptom of the team’s persistent organizational instability.
4. The Dark Humor:
The meme employs stark reality (the fact that the Giants haven’t won a TNF game in such a long time) combined with relatable temporal milestones, creating satire that is just enough for rival fans to enjoy, yet painful enough for Giants supporters.
In conclusion, this meme is a creatively framed lament by NFL fans, utilizing history and pop culture to pinpoint one of the most unfortunate recurring streaks in the New York Giants’ history over the past decade.
Note: The specific game shown is the New York Giants vs. Washington (Football Team), September 24, 2015.
