Thanksgiving means turkey, pumpkin pie… and the Detroit Lions giving their fans annual emotional damage. And this year, even before the games kicked off, Joe Burrow managed to poke that old wound with a perfectly delivered sarcastic jab.
Yep — during a press conference, when reporters asked Burrow about his Thanksgiving football memories, he went full “truth-with-a-smirk” mode.
The Cincinnati Bengals are set to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night in what might be their ultimate make-or-break matchup of the season. But before all that tension, Burrow sat down and casually reminded the world of one thing every football fan secretly knows: the Lions’ Thanksgiving tradition of… well… losing.
While recalling his childhood Thanksgiving routine, Burrow delivered the line that instantly went viral:
"Watch Matthew Stafford throw 300-400 yards with Calvin Johnson and probably lose the game."
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 25, 2025
Joe Burrow on Thanksgiving NFL games growing up 😂🦃
(Via @Bengals) pic.twitter.com/U8VgykGCmI
Ouch. That one definitely left a mark in Detroit.
To be fair, he wasn’t wrong. Stafford + Calvin Johnson used to light up defenses like a Christmas tree, but somehow the Lions would still find a way to fumble the holiday spirit. Stafford’s Detroit Thanksgiving record? A rough 3–7 during his years with the team. The Lions overall? Not much better.
And here’s the spicy twist — Burrow’s little jab might just boomerang its way back to him. Because in recent years, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have had some monster performances too… that still ended in painful losses. Sound familiar?
Yep — the Bengals have had a few very “Lions-coded” moments.
So if things go south against the Ravens, Lions fans already have the perfect comeback locked and loaded.
The Bengals vs. Ravens showdown kicks off Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC. Meanwhile, Detroit fans are probably printing Burrow’s quote on T-shirts as we speak.
See More
- Ja’Marr Chase Apologizes—but Somehow Forgets to Mention Jalen Ramsey! Bengals–Steelers Drama Continues
- Bill Belichick Back in NFL Eyes! Even Amid UNC’s Losing Streak, the Super Bowl Legend Keeps Teams Guessing
- Breaking: MNF Ends With UFC-Style Chaos After Panthers Player Lands a Low Blow on Jauan Jennings!
- BREAKING: Shedeur Sanders Lights Up in First NFL Start — Trump Says, “I Told You So!”
- Rams vs Bucs? Better Name It: “Rams vs Baker Mayfield’s Shoulder”
- Joey Bosa’s Low Hit Nets NFL Fine of $17,389: Baker Mayfield Strikes Again as the Target!
- Gracie Hunt Says, “Bad Bunny? No Thanks!” – Super Bowl to Feature Conservative Alternative Show
- President Trump Isn’t a Fan of the New Kickoff Rule — And Chiefs Coach Toub Says He “Just Didn’t Understand It”
- BREAKING: Injured? Doesn’t Matter — Cam Skattebo Chugs an Energy Drink Out of His Cleat to Celebrate 1K Subs! (Video)
- Ja’Marr Chase Spits, Jalen Ramsey Reacts, Mike Tomlin Says: ‘Do What Comes Natural’!