Dan Bernstein Unfiltered on 312 Sports
Episode Title: Caleb Williams and the Bears move on to the divisional round after putting Green Bay's season to bed
Release Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is brimming with Chicago sports energy, as Dan Bernstein and longtime producer Matt Abbatacola revel in the Bears' glorious playoff win over the Packers, discuss the city’s euphoric mood, and break down what comes next for the team in the divisional round. The guys also touch on other major Chicago sports stories—particularly the Cubs’ big free-agent move, college football developments, and some light-hearted Olympic bobsled hijinks. It’s classic Bernstein: unfiltered, quick-witted, and relentlessly Chicago.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears Beat Packers: City-Wide Elation

• Overwhelming Joy in Chicago

  • Dan opens by sharing how he “couldn't stop smiling” after the Bears' win, highlighting the city's collective, almost surreal happiness (00:02).
  • “Everybody was kind of floating for a whole day.” – Dan (01:39)
  • Excitement in being able to watch playoff football with the Bears still alive.

• Locker Room Antics & Rivalry Theater

  • Describes post-game antics: Caleb Williams' cheese-grating taunts, boisterous locker room celebrations, and viral memes.
  • "When the Bears coach and quarterback go full meatball, it gives cover for everybody." – Dan (03:53)
  • The handshake drama between Ben Johnson (Bears coach) and Matt LaFleur (Packers coach), reminiscent of old Ditka-Gregg days.
  • Debate on whether Ben Johnson’s Packers rivalry is genuine or just smart motivational showmanship.

• Ben Johnson's Intentionality & Chicago Culture

  • Matt suggests Johnson’s fiery attitude is calculated to unify team and city, referencing his early meetings with McCaskey family:
    • “Everything he does is very deliberate and is very purposeful for his team.” – Matt (06:31)
  • Dan compares it to wrestling’s “kayfabe”—performative but effective, especially when it leads to wins.

• Bears’ Historic Comeback

  • Ben Johnson’s halftime speech: “Here’s how we are going to author the greatest playoff comeback in Bears history, starting right now.” (06:59)
  • The pride in seeing even typically indifferent Chicagoans swept up in Bears fever.
  • “My pharmacist was like, ‘Go Bears.’ Everybody, everywhere has just kind of got that look in their eye.” – Dan (07:50)

2. Nuts and Bolts: Bears Strategy and Roster

• Bears vs. Rams Preview

  • Brief recall of historic Bears-Rams games and speculation on game logistics (12:02).
  • Bears are early four-point underdogs against the Rams.

• Johnson’s Risky Play Calling

  • Discussion of bold in-game choices, such as going for it on 4th down from their own 32.
  • “Get used to the cute. Get used to the going forward on 4th down from your own 31 or whatever…it is what it is—for better or for worse.” – Dan (10:08)
  • Matt defends most decisions but questions that one call: “That’s the only thing I’ll ever disagree with…” (12:48)

• Schematics & Player Performances

  • Emphasis on not punting, aggressive play calling, and offensive creativity.
  • Praise for Grady Jarrett, DeMarco Jackson, Dominique Robinson, and Jaquan Brisker in shutting down Packers’ run game (15:39).
  • The defense “better without” certain large but inflexible linemen for speed/agility reasons.

• Looking Ahead

  • Tease of deeper X’s and O’s dives on “Forward Progress” podcast, with Tim Jenkins as a guest (16:08).

3. Cubs Make a Splash: Signing Alex Bregman

• Biggest Contract in Cubs History

  • Cubs sign Alex Bregman—five years, $175 million, no opt-outs, no-trade clause.
  • “This is the highest average annual value contract the Cubs have ever paid out.” – Dan (19:49)
  • $70M in deferred money, Scott Boras praised for fierce negotiating.

• Will There Be More Moves?

  • Matt laments that luxury tax constraints might prevent further additions, especially another needed bat.
  • “It really pisses me off as a Cubs fan that they're dictated by that luxury tax line.” – Matt (20:40)
  • Discussion of Nico Horner’s importance and the potential for Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker in right field.

• Bregman’s Value & Risk

  • Analytics breakdown: Bregman’s bat control and pitch selection are elite, but some decline is expected.
  • Joe Sheehan comparison: Bregman to Jon Lester as “the money piece added to a young core to contend for a championship.”
  • “You have to praise them for doing what we asked…and that is spend the money when it’s time. And they did.” – Dan (28:01)
  • “If you need underpants, you go buy underpants.” – Dan (underpants metaphor, 28:39)

4. College Football and the NIL Age

• Indiana’s Coaching Revelation
  • Dan gushes over Indiana Hoosiers’ coach Curt Cignetti, calling it “one of the greatest coaching jobs that’s been done in sports in a long time.” (32:06)
  • Team executes flawlessly, doesn’t make mistakes, loaded with mature, transferring “professional college players.”
  • "There's no doubt in my mind that Indiana is going to win the national championship, if not romp to the national championship." – Dan (34:24)

5. Olympic Hijinks: U.S. Bobsled Bloopers

• AP Story Recap – “Cool Runnings” in Real Life
  • Dan reads a story about U.S. bobsled driver Chris Horn’s solo run after his three teammates failed to board at the St. Moritz World Cup race (37:12).
  • “Leaving Horn to navigate the course with no other weight in the sled and nobody to pull the brakes at the bottom. That’s a problem, right?” – Dan (40:38)
  • Segment is filled with their trademark deadpan jokes and disbelief at the scenario.

6. Life, Sleep, and Bears Enhanced Happiness

• Sports Joy Bleeding Into Life

  • The guys share how a winning Bears team makes all of daily life feel better—food tastes better, joy is contagious citywide, even sleep routines are upended with late-night meme and highlight binges.
  • “When the Bears are good, it just makes everything better. Like food tastes better.” – Dan (49:31)

• Personal Anecdotes

  • Matt talks about combining family birthday dinners with Bears playoff viewing (50:05).
  • Exchange about TV watching habits, “the murder cave,” and blue light sleep science (48:00–49:30).

7. Quick Hitters and Picks of the Week

• Quick Hits

  • Bulls and Hawks victories noted among other high points of Chicago sports weekend.
  • Bears injury updates (Matthew Stafford’s finger discussed, but “he’s said to be okay”) (51:17).
  • More in-depth Bears analysis promised all week on "Forward Progress."

• Picks Segment (DBU Picks, 52:57)

  • Matt: Texans -3; looking at Aaron Rodgers over 21.5 passing attempts (confusion over attempts/completions clarified).
  • Dan: Aaron Rodgers under 21.5 completions, Jalen Warren under 52.5 rushing yards (54:12).
  • Friendly banter over prop bet mix-ups.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the City’s Mood After the Win
  “My face hurts from smiling.” – Dan (00:02)
• On Ben Johnson’s Motivational Tactics
  “He’s making a wrestling bid out of it, is what it seems. This seems like kayfabe, but okay.” – Dan (06:24)
• On Being Unapologetically Bold When Winning
  “When you win, you can go full on Captain Meatball with it.” – Matt (06:31)
• Post-Game Dressing Room Rally
  “He stood up in front of the team and said, ‘Here’s how we are going to author the greatest playoff comeback in Bears history, starting right now.’” – Dan (06:59)
• Underpants as a Free Agency Metaphor
  “If you need underpants, you go buy underpants.” – Dan (28:39)
• Bobsledding Gone Wrong
  “Leaving Horn to navigate the course with no other weight in the sled and nobody to pull the brakes at the bottom. That’s a problem, right?” – Dan (40:38)
• On the Ripple Effect of Sports Euphoria
  “When the Bears are good, it just makes everything better. Like food tastes better.” – Dan (49:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02 – 08:53: Bears’ win recap, city mood, Ben Johnson’s “meatball” leadership
• 10:08 – 14:25: Bears’ strategy commentary, play calling, post-game details
• 15:31 – 16:43: Defensive performance analysis, plans for deeper dives on Forward Progress
• 19:49 – 28:01: Cubs sign Alex Bregman, analysis of deal, organizational philosophy
• 32:14 – 34:24: Indiana Hoosiers, NIL/transfer portal talk, Cignetti’s coaching job
• 37:12 – 44:40: Bobsled anecdote, Olympics preview, laughter and disbelief
• 47:28 – 54:06: Daily life uplifted by sports, family stories, sleep routines, DBU Picks
• 54:12 – End: DBU Picks details, banter about prop bets, show wrap-up

Final Thoughts

This wide-ranging episode delivers everything a Chicago sports fan could want: in-depth Bears analysis mixed with citywide pride, critical breakdowns of front-office moves and coaching styles, and the sort of camaraderie and quick, honest wit that define Bernstein’s broadcasting legacy. It’s a love letter to the city’s sports highs, with just enough snark and heart to pull in skeptics and die-hards alike.