By Moses Joshua 
Joe Burrow’s candid remarks remind fans that, while the Lions have found recent success, their storied Thanksgiving struggles are a painful part of NFL history that continue to loom over every holiday matchup.
Burrow’s Thanksgiving Reality Check
Thanksgiving has become a celebratory day for Detroit Lions fans in recent years, especially as the team has surged since 2023. Yet Joe Burrow didn’t mince words when asked about the Lions’ holiday tradition, offering a brutally honest reflection on the team’s past struggles.
“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,” Burrow said, highlighting the historical challenges Detroit has faced on its annual NFL showcase day.
While modern Lions squads have thrived, Burrow’s comment underscores the harsh reality of prior decades: stellar individual performances didn’t always translate into wins, leaving fans frustrated year after year.
Stafford and Johnson: Greats Who Couldn’t Seal the Deal
Detroit’s Thanksgiving history is a tale of talent not quite matching outcome. Matthew Stafford set a Thanksgiving Day passing record in 2017, surpassing Tony Romo’s 2,338 yards over ten games, averaging 317 yards per contest. Calvin Johnson, meanwhile, set the all-time Thanksgiving touchdown record by 2014 and finished his career with 11,619 receiving yards, still a franchise mark.
Yet despite their prowess, Stafford-led Lions endured a Thanksgiving day losing streak, including four consecutive defeats, a stark reminder that individual excellence didn’t always equate to holiday victory.
A Tradition Marred by Struggles
Since 2006, Detroit’s record on Thanksgiving stands at a disappointing 5-14. The annual holiday game, meant to bring joy to fans nationwide, often delivered heartache instead. Even memorable moments like last season’s win over the Bears — which triggered the firing of Chicago’s head coach Matt Eberflus — remain exceptions in a long line of frustrations.
Burrow’s remarks, though blunt, simply shine a light on the pattern: Detroit fans have learned that holiday optimism doesn’t always translate into on-field results.
Setting a New Standard in 2025
With the Lions preparing to face the Green Bay Packers this Thanksgiving, the stakes are higher than ever. Detroit has the chance to rewrite the narrative, proving that the team isn’t just a fixture on the holiday schedule — it’s a contender capable of dominating when the nation is watching.
Burrow’s candid reflections serve as a reminder: the Lions’ Thanksgiving legacy is still a story to be told, but 2025 could be the year the franchise changes the narrative once and for all.