The Cincinnati Bengals are facing off against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night in what's shaping up to be the make-or-break game for the Bengals this season.
Fortunately, the Bengals are expected to get Burrow back for the Week 13 matchup. In the week's buildup to the big game, Burrow was asked about his memories of Thanksgiving and the NFL.
As Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team shared on Twitter/X, the Bengals quarterback trolled the Detroit Lions with his memories of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson playing on Thanksgiving.
Bengals' Joe Burrow trolls Lions over fond Thanksgiving memories
"You grow up going through Thanksgiving, you have your meals, and you sit on the couch, watch the Lions versus somebody, watch Matthew Stafford throw 300, 400 yards with Calvin Johnson, and probably lose the game."
#Bengals QB Joe Burrow on playing on Thanksgiving:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 25, 2025
“You grow up going through Thanksgiving — you have your meals, and you sit on the couch... Watch the Lions vs. Somebody, watch Matthew Stafford throw 300–400 yards with Calvin Johnson, and probably lose the game.”😂 pic.twitter.com/fTsagL7ymN
While Burrow is trolling the Lions with this comment, it's not far from the truth. Stafford was drafted by the Lions in 2009 and played there through the 2020 season before joining the Los Angeles Rams.
Starting in 2009 and through the 2020 season, the Lions are 4-8 on Thanksgiving, with their only wins coming in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Stafford missed one Thanksgiving matchup in this span in 2010, so Stafford in Detroit has a 3-7 record, while the Lions have a 3-8 record since the future Hall of Famer was drafted.
More: How Ja'Marr Chase's suspension can cost Bengals' WR over $500,000
On Thanksgiving, the Lions are 38-45-2 all-time. Since 2000, Detroit has won just seven of its 25 Thanksgiving Day matchups.
They're once again playing on Thanksgiving, this time going up against the Green Bay Packers in a pivotal late-season division matchup. And just like the Lions, Burrow and the Bengals face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in their own huge divisional showdown.
While Burrow's fond memories of Thanksgiving pasts aren't wrong, they could come back to haunt him on Thanksgiving. With a shaky defense, even if Burrow throws for over 300 yards and Ja'Marr Chase has a big day, they could still lose in Week 13.
Just like how Burrow has fond memories of the Lions losing on Thanksgiving despite heroic performances from Stafford and Johnson, the same could happen with Burrow and Chase this season.
More Bengals News:
- Bengals Ja'Marr Chase to sit out one game, as NFL will reportedly uphold his suspension
- Ja'Marr Chase suspension: Why spitting incident with Jalen Ramsey led to one-game ban
- Bengals' defense graded as worst in NFL history through 10 games since 1978
- Bengals get brutal injury update on second-round standout defender