Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

Episode: Ben Johnson Gets the Bears Even at 2-2
Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Dan Bernstein
Co-Host: Matt Abbatacola
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (312 Sports)

Overview

This episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered covers a triumphant but critical breakdown of the Chicago Bears' nail-biting 25-24 victory, bringing them to 2-2 heading into the bye week. The conversation then sweeps across the Chicago Cubs' playoff outlook, White Sox "optimism," the new Bulls roster, and even a deep dive into Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film. Sharp takes, statistical context, and the no-nonsense honesty Bernstein’s known for are front and center.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Chicago Bears: Scrappy Victory, Realistic Skepticism

The Bears Are 2-2—But Is It Sustainable?

• The episode opens with reflection on the Bears’ improbable road win, emphasizing the unsustainable formula it took.
• Broadcast banter: Briefly, the hosts marvel at the wild 40–40 tie from the night before.
• Bernstein on the win:

  “A win on the road is a testament to everybody involved and the coaches and all of that. However, this is not a recipe for victory.” (03:50)

• Historic context:

  “If you say we’re going to allow 240 yards rushing and win a game for the first time since I was 10 years old, since 1979… You can’t do that.” (03:59)

• Bears snap a streak of losses when allowing 24+ points.
• On Geno Smith’s turnovers:

  “Geno Smith… wanted to throw interception after interception after interception. It’s not a sustainable game plan.” (04:31)

• The hosts praise coaching moves, especially benching struggling left tackle Braxton Jones mid-game.
• On OL shuffle:

  “Is Braxton Jones the swing tackle or is he inactive? …This has all got to be sorted out.” (06:00)

Defensive Standouts & Coaching Decisions

• Critical run-stops at game’s end noted as rare bright spots for the run defense. Rookie Shamar Turner and safety Kevin Byard are praised.
• Byard’s impact:

  “Kevin Byard, I just want to point out, hell of a game. Two interceptions, had that huge tackle at the end…” (08:38)

• Discussion on rookie RB Ashton Genti’s difficult-to-tackle style and big performance.

Quarterback Talk: Caleb Williams’ Progress

• On Williams vs. Geno Smith:

  “Caleb Williams didn’t look very comfortable. He missed some throws, again, inconsistent, but did enough to win the game on the road… Unlike Geno Smith, Caleb Williams didn’t hurt his team.” (09:27)

• The Bears were adjudged the “better coached team,” even besting Pete Carroll’s staff.

2. Chicago Cubs: Playoff Outlook & Lessons in Variance

• Cubs open postseason against San Diego at Wrigley.
• Player WAR leaders highlighted:
  • Pete Crow Armstrong (5.4)
  • Nico Hoerner (4.8)
  • Kyle Tucker (4.5, missed 26 games)
  • Michael Busch (3.5)
• Berstein on playoffs and regular season stats:

  “The most important aspect once you reach the playoffs is good fortune. It’s luck, it’s variance... None of that stuff matters now. Variance rules everything.” (16:58)
  “Momentum is tomorrow’s starting pitcher. Vin Scully.” (17:47)

• Cubs’ running theme: Excellent defense, no glaring weak spots, but “variance” is the name of the game now.
• Wind analysis at Wrigley: local expertise on how conditions could affect scoring.

30-30 Club & Historical Baseball Trivia

• Crow Armstrong just became only the second Cub with a 30 HR/30 SB season (after Sammy Sosa).
• Fun rundown of MLB teams that still haven’t had a 30-30 player—including the White Sox.
• Trivia:

  “The Cardinals have never had a 30, 30 guy … The Twins have never had a 30, 30 guy … and the last, the sixth team to have never had a 3030 guy: your Chicago White Sox.” (20:59)

3. Chicago White Sox: Genuine Progress & Next Wave Hope

• Co-host:

  “They improved by 19 games, 19 wins.” (23:14)

• Praise for SS Colson Montgomery: Team WAR leader, future to build around.
• Bernstein’s wry optimism:

  “They went from: bad, unlucky, and stupid to bad, less stupid, and slightly less unlucky.” (23:18)

• “Buy the dip” for Sox fans: now’s a good time to invest emotionally in the team’s future stars.

4. Bulls: New Roster, Sober Expectations

• 19 players in camp, training opens next day; preseason vs. Cavaliers.
• Notable names: Kobe White, Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, Matas Buzelis, Kevin Herder.
• Co-host on roster:

  “The Bulls roster is bad but the Bulls roster is out.” (01:29)

• Bernstein:

  “How many superstars are on this team?” (32:00)
  Co-host: “None. Zero.” (32:03) Bernstein: “That is the correct, honest answer. That’s the unfiltered answer.”

• Real talk: Reaching the playoffs/play-in relies on young players outperforming, possible trade moves, or breakout years (e.g. Bouzelis).

5. Blackhawks & Other Chicago Tangents

• Training camp’s underway with new coach Jeff Blashill.
• Rapid-fire banter confusing sports producers and players, adding comic relief; reminiscences about early score radio days.
• Hosts admit they’ve yet to see much of the Blackhawks and promise more coverage to come.

6. Brief Movie Review: One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)

• Both hosts saw the new PTA film and deliver an impassioned, spoiler-light review.
• Standouts:
  • A-list performances by DiCaprio and Sean Penn, with major props for supporting turns from Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Chase Infinity.
  • Unforgettable, unique car chase sequence—ranked among the best ever by Bernstein.
  • Dynamic yet understated Johnny Greenwood score integral to the film’s energy.
• Key praise:

  Bernstein: “From the moment this movie starts, the energy that propels you through here … it never relents, even in the quiet moments. Driven by a remarkable score.” (43:02)

• Co-host on action:

  “That was one of the greatest car chases that I’ve ever seen… uniquely filmed.” (44:51)

• Both hosts celebrate how the movie lets viewers decide when to laugh, ranking it among PTA’s best.
• Special mention for realism in interrogation scenes and nuanced performances.
• Memorable moment:

  “The rule of comedy—you know, rule of three or rule of 17—he kept going. I was like, oh my God, where is it going?” (54:26)

7. DBU Picks and Gambling Updates (Key Picks Segment)

• Parlay picks: Jets +3 at Miami, Denver -7.5 vs. Bengals. (56:21)
• Futures play: Amon-Ra St. Brown for Offensive Player of the Year at +1500. (57:53)
• Omarion Hampton tracking 2nd among rookie rushers after Ashton Genti’s big game.
• Reminders about betting promotions and live shows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bears' win method:

  “If you say we’re going to allow 240 yards rushing and win a game … since 1979… You can’t do that.” – Bernstein (03:59)

• On playoff baseball:

  “The most important aspect once you reach the playoffs is good fortune. It’s luck, it’s variance... None of that stuff matters now.” – Bernstein (16:58)

• On the Bulls’ lack of star power:

  “How many superstars are on this team?” (32:00)
  “None. Zero.” – Co-host

• On the new PTA film:

  “It’s a black comedy. It is also an absolute rip roaring, non stop adventure with one of the greatest car chases that I’ve ever seen.” – Bernstein (44:51) “Unbelievable… and capturing that location… fucking phenomenal.” – Co-host (45:02)

• On consuming movies differently:

  “We consume things differently. And so I took a different approach… not just get sucked into the story … I wanted to observe different things.” – Bernstein (52:52)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:02 – 06:00: Bears recap — victory, OL changes, defensive struggles.
• 06:00 – 11:24: Game specifics, key stops, Byard & Turner highlights, Williams vs. Geno Smith, coaching edges.
• 13:07 – 22:29: Cubs playoff preview, WAR and offensive leader breakdown, the impact of luck in the postseason.
• 22:29 – 25:05: White Sox season, “buy the dip” talk, Colson Montgomery hype.
• 29:32 – 34:42: Bulls roster reveal, realistic team outlooks, East landscape.
• 34:56 – 39:00: Blackhawks, producer tangents, and classic score radio stories.
• 40:36 – 55:03: Movie review — One Battle After Another’s pacing, score, comedic tension, standout acting and memorable set pieces.
• 56:21 – 58:44: DBU gambling picks and betting talk.
• 58:55 – end: Hampton’s rookie rush ranking and close.

Final Notes

This episode typifies Dan Bernstein Unfiltered: top-to-bottom Chicago sports, harsh truths joined by humor and smart debate, and a willingness to step outside of sports for sharp cultural conversation. Diehard Chicago fans and pragmatic sports thinkers will find plenty to chew on—whether sizing up the Bears’ true ceiling, prepping for October baseball, or consuming a three-hour cinema epic like true critics.