Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Episode Summary
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein with Matt Abbatacola
Episode Title: Bears vs. Flacco | Jordan’s Second Insight | World Series Game 4
Date: October 29, 2025
Episode Overview
In this fast-paced, unfiltered episode, Dan Bernstein and longtime producer Matt Abbatacola slice through Chicago’s biggest sports stories and a few national headlines. The hosts dive into the Chicago Bears’ quarterback drama ahead of their matchup with the Bengals, roast John Smoltz’s baseball commentary during the World Series, break down Michael Jordan’s old-school takes on “load management,” and swap stories about a memorable Blackhawks game and some truly bizarre Louisiana monkey business. Expect sharp wit, honest frustration, and old-school Chicago sports radio banter throughout.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Bears vs. Bengals: Flacco, Williams, and Offensive Expectations
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Quarterback Situation:
Dan and Matt predict Joe Flacco will start for the Bengals despite his sore shoulder, remarking that who plays QB isn’t as important as getting the ball to Jamar Chase and T. Higgins (02:54). -
Analysis of Bears’ Performance:
Dan calls on Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams to "light these MF’s up" against a weak Bengals defense, pushing back hard against playing it safe:“Go have yourself a stat day. Have that day when…people go look back and say, ‘Boy, I don’t remember him throwing for 372 yards and four… Oh, yeah, I guess he did that against the Bengals.’”(03:27)
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Bengals’ Offense:
Flacco’s approach is simple:“Throw the ball to Jamar Chase and T. Higgins. I’d be an idiot not to.” (04:05)
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Terminology Banter:
Matt and Dan debate offensive terminology—sluggo vs. whip vs. jerk routes—showcasing their deep football nerdery and willingness to admit mistakes (05:02, 49:03). -
Bears’ Pre-snap Penalties:
Both hosts vent about recurring mental errors—pre-snap penalties, inefficiencies unrelated to the quarterback, and professionalism:“The pre snap stuff doesn’t matter if it’s Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagen, Justin Fields, me, or you. That shouldn’t matter at professional athletes.” – Matt (07:16)
2. World Series Game 4: The Smoltz Rant & Baseball Commentary
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John Smoltz Critique:
Dan launches a recurring, passionate rant about John Smoltz’s takes during the World Series broadcast, frustrated by Smoltz’s resistance to analytics and penchant for pseudo-science (12:24-14:07). Memorable complaints include:- Smoltz’s obsession with contact hitting and criticism of strikeouts (“He thinks strikeouts are bad…The fast break offense...It’s called sequencing.” – 13:22)
- Smoltz’s bizarre curveball physics (“He said… if you hit it on the right slope, you impart spin with your swing… It’s not about swinging hard. I’m not kidding. He said this. It’s unbelievable. It’s a parody.” – Dan, 14:11)
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Dan's World Series Viewing Rituals:
The hosts mix in domestic anecdotes—Dan attempting “special breathing” to tolerate Smoltz, cooking for his wife mid-game, and Subscribers sending in the worst Smoltz quotes (15:15, 16:06). -
Smoltz’s Broadcasting Style:
A cathartic segment examines why Smoltz’s anti-curiosity grates on Dan, contrasting him with more insightful broadcasters like Jim Deshaies who embody humility and a learner’s mentality (23:48–28:20):“He’s the guy who would say the giant ball of fire in the sky disappears every day because it’s eaten by a dragon.” — Dan (23:53)
3. Jordan’s Second Insight: Old School vs. Modern NBA
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“Insights to Excellence” - Jordan/Mike Tirico Interview:
The hosts recap and analyze Michael Jordan’s much-hyped NBC segment with Mike Tirico, focusing on the GOAT’s views of load management in today’s NBA (32:28–36:55).- Jordan’s classic stance:
“I never wanted to miss a game… the fans are there… I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his ass off to get a ticket… If I can physically do it, I should play.” — Jordan (33:40)
- Dan notes Jordan immediately goes into “I didn’t need load management. Today’s players are soft.” even before being prompted.
- Matt highlights Jordan’s lack of self-awareness, bullish self-promotion, and willingness to dunk (again) on the current NBA:
“Michael Jordan is always going to promote Michael Jordan. Period.” (40:53)
- Jordan’s classic stance:
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Cultural Commentary:
Dan and Matt call out the performative myth-building around the “flu game,” Jordan’s selective memory, and point out that current players do invest heavily in recovery and family, despite Jordan's nostalgia for the “good old days” (37:14–38:57).
4. Bulls vs. Kings Preview & Bulls Chemistry
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Matchup Breakdown:
Dan is genuinely excited for the Bulls–Kings game, drawn by emerging players like Matas Buzelis and a rejuvenated locker room culture. He breaks down the Bulls’ offensive sets (“pistol,” “five out of ten,” modern NBA spacing) and highlights Patrick Williams’ improved play (44:39–45:37). -
Locker Room Culture Shift:
The Bulls are playing with more chemistry, constructive criticism, and team buy-in:“Players are heard and feelings stay at home… the 15th guy can say something to the number one guy.” — Reading from Joe Cowley’s report (46:06)
5. Chicago Blackhawks Game—Nostalgia, Culture, and Changes
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Blackhawks Experience Recap:
Matt attended a recent Blackhawks game at the United Center and shares observations on lower attendance, more in-game entertainment, and a generational cultural shift away from the gritty, raucous games of the past to today's more family-friendly, sanitized events (51:12–54:41). -
Hat Trick Tradition:
Matt remains baffled by fans throwing hats after a Bedard hat trick (“It’s your hat you wore to the game…just keep it!” – 52:53), spurring a humorous debate about hockey customs and the sanctity of property. -
Old-Time Hockey Stories:
The hosts reminisce about the Chicago Stadium’s wild days: cheap seats, marijuana smoke, beer showers, and scrappy fights—contrasting with today’s more sedate NHL experience (55:36–56:46).
6. The Escaped Monkeys Incident
- Bizarre Louisiana News Story:
Dan reads a news report about a transport truck crash that set loose research monkeys—rumored to carry Hepatitis, Covid, or Herpes—leading to their elimination by authorities. The hosts riff about the absurdity and southern gothic nature of the story, joking about legal representation for the monkeys and local news anchors possibly drinking on air for their nonchalance (65:24–68:36).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the Bears’ offensive urgency:
"I don't want to hear about complimentary football. Go light these MF's up because they can't cover."
— Dan, (03:10) -
On John Smoltz’s anti-analytics take:
"He doesn't understand cause, effect, sample size...None of these basic principles can penetrate his dumb skull."
— Dan, (14:07) -
On Michael Jordan’s load management stance:
“…the fans are there… I want to impress that guy way up on top who probably worked his ass off to get a ticket…”
— Michael Jordan (33:40, quoted by Dan) -
On Bulls’ locker room culture:
“The number one guy can take that criticism and still go out and compete. That’s huge.”
— (46:06, Joe Cowley, read by Dan) -
On modern vs. classic Blackhawks culture:
“It didn’t feel like what I remember hockey games being… drenched in beer, smelling like weed, seeing fights and guys pissing all over the staircase.”
— Matt, (56:46) -
On the escaped monkeys story:
“I couldn’t rule out that it was Jason… I went on Find My Friends… made sure that one that they hadn’t destroyed was not actually our son…”
— Dan, (64:54)
Timestamps of Key Segments
| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|-------|-----------| | Opening & Bears QB Drama | Who will play for Bengals; Bears offense needs to attack | 00:39 – 07:33 | | Passing Routes & Nerd Debate | Slant, sluggo, whip, and jerk route banter | 04:41 – 05:40 & 49:03 | | Bears' Mental Mistakes | Venting about recurring penalties | 06:38 – 07:33 | | World Series/Smoltz Rant | Critique of John Smoltz’s baseball commentary | 12:24 – 16:06 | | Analytical vs. Anti-Analytical Broadcasting | Why Smoltz annoys Dan—lack of curiosity | 23:27 – 28:11 | | Jordan Interview Recap | Load management, nostalgia for 90s NBA | 32:28 – 38:45 | | Bulls/Kings Preview, Bulls Culture | Offense, locker room accountability | 44:39 – 48:46 | | Blackhawks Game Recap | Modern vs. classic NHL fans and culture | 51:12 – 56:46 | | Escaped Monkeys News & Jokes | Louisiana’s primate research mishap | 65:24 – 68:36 |
Final Thoughts
This episode is vintage unfiltered Bernstein—raw takes, sports nostalgia, eye-rolling at old-school mindsets, and a passionate defense of evidence-based analysis. Whether you’re a Bears/Bulls fan or just love irreverent sports conversation, this one delivers.