Thanksgiving Day games, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow got some laughs — and prompted a bit of nostalgia — when asked about his memories of watching football on the holiday. Burrow, who is returning to action against the Baltimore Ravens this Thursday after missing time with a turf toe injury, delivered a playful but pointed remark about the Lions’ Thanksgiving history.

He recalled his childhood Thanksgiving rituals: “You eat with your family, then you sit on the couch … watch the Lions versus somebody, watch Matthew Stafford throw for 300-400 yards with Calvin Johnson … and probably lose the game.” Then he paused with a grin and added that despite the losses, it was still fun to watch.

Burrow’s jibe — half joke, half memory — isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound. During Stafford’s run in Detroit, the Lions compiled a poor Thanksgiving Day record, with far more losses than wins in games on the holiday.

Beyond the quip, the moment has extra weight this year: Burrow is making his first Thanksgiving appearance since entering the league. He acknowledged how meaningful it is to return on a national stage.

Despite the Bengals’ tough 3-8 record this season, Burrow insists that if he’s healthy enough, he’s going to play — and he welcomed the chance to do it on Thanksgiving.

All that said, his headline-grabbing line mostly served as gentle ribbing — a nostalgic poke at a Lions era many fans remember for high-flying offense but recurring holiday heartbreak.