Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – “Chicago Bears are the #1 Seed in the NFC”

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host(s): Dan Bernstein, Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 1, 2025
Episode Theme: Chicago Bears claim the #1 seed in the NFC—a candid, comprehensive breakdown of how they’ve arrived at this moment, what it means, and what comes next for the team, plus a spirited dive into NFL, college football, and Chicago sports headlines.

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and longtime producer Matt Abbatacola celebrate the Chicago Bears’ stunning rise to the top of the NFC, dissecting the defining moments, strategic innovations, and locker-room culture changes that got them there. Expect the signature “Unfiltered” debate—deep dives into game strategy, offensive line dominance, coaching quirks, and what might stand between the Bears and a Super Bowl run. Beyond the Bears, the duo tackle coaching carousel drama in college football, the spiraling Chicago Bulls, and more, with signature humor and honesty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chicago Bears: NFC #1 Seed—How Did We Get Here?

• Reaction to Bears’ Record:
  • Chicago at 9-3, leading the NFC. Season has exceeded expectations—Bears already surpassed Vegas win total (originally 8.5).
  • “The Chicago Bears are nine and three. They're leading the entire NFC. The number one seed, bro, right now.” (Dan, 01:28)
• Defining Win Against Philadelphia:
  • Statement win over the Eagles seen as the signature moment of the Ben Johnson era.
  • “Now they got a chance to make this matter. The conclusion to draw from watching a lot of football this weekend is, why not now? Why not?” (Dan, 03:37)
• Playoff Outlook & No Fear Mentality:
  • Matt and Dan agree: no NFC rival looks unbeatable.
  • “There isn't a team out there that the Bears going into a game now, I wouldn't look at and say yeah, there's no reason why the Bears can't beat that team.” (Matt, 04:54)
• Importance of Seizing the Moment:
  • Reminder that success windows can close quickly in the NFL.
  • “Take advantage of this year. There isn’t a team out there that the Bears can’t beat.” (Matt, 05:45)

2. Coaching & Game Planning: Ben Johnson’s Impact

• Creative Offense, Passing vs. Running Balance:
  • Discussion on Johnson’s pass-heavy tendencies: recently called 18 straight passes in a game—even he didn’t realize in the moment.
  • “It’s now, I think two weeks in a row, where he had 18 passes in a row. Didn’t even realize he was doing that… I threw too much, didn’t run as much as we needed to.” (Matt, 06:44)
• Self-scouting and Balance:
  • Wondering if Johnson will implement on-the-fly checks to avoid getting too pass-happy.
  • “He’s called it out now twice in the last couple of weeks… Not that it’s going to impact the season to make it better—they’re 9 and 3!—but he’s called it out.” (Matt, 08:11)
• Strategic Flexibility:
  • No “sexiness points”—the team can run if that’s what wins.
  • “If you can and if you want to be a high school team demolishing other high school teams, that's a perfectly acceptable way to win games. It doesn't matter.” (Dan, 08:27)
• Elite Offensive Line Play:
  • Shout-outs to GM Ryan Poles for building the interior line (Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson).
  • “If you want to really say, why are they so successful? That’s why.” (Dan, 09:58)
  • Calls for nicknaming this line: “They’re starting to get to the point where maybe they deserve a little bit of attention… especially the guard, center, guard guys.” (Dan, 10:28)

3. Signature Defensive Play – Nishan Wright and the Tush Push Takeaway

• Game Ball Drama:
  • Dan awarded Wright a game ball postgame before coaches did—long overdue.
  • “I've been on this for three weeks, four weeks, whatever it's been with Nishan Wright… what does he have to do to get a game ball?” (Dan, 15:47)
• Locker Room Audio & Bears’ Culture:
  • Ben Johnson corrects omission, gathers team for celebration—”We took a short week. You took no shortcuts. You played your best ball for 60 minutes. Well done.” (Coach audio, 20:31)
  • Focus on offensive line’s role: “It does not get done without this offensive line. It's time to put it on our back.” (Shawnee, 21:28)
• Wiener Circle & Team Rituals:
  • Team celebration includes hot dogs and Ben Johnson famously taking his shirt off.

4. NFL & NFC Playoff Picture: Surprises and Teams to Watch

• Division Leaders & Wild Card Race:
  • AFC leaders: Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Ravens. NFC top teams: Bears, Rams, Eagles, Buccaneers, Seahawks, Packers, 49ers.
  • “Just, it’s wild.” (Matt, 13:31)
• No Dominant NFC Force:
  • “Any one of those teams could beat the Bears. On any given Sunday, the Bears could beat all of those teams, too.” (Matt, 05:03)
• Potential Rams Worry:
  • Dan keeps an eye on the Rams: “I’m a little worried the Rams got tagged at just the right time.” (Dan, 13:52)

5. The State of the Chicago Bulls

• Bulls’ Struggles:
  • Despite a hot start, opponents have figured out physical, attacking strategies that expose the Bulls’ weaknesses.
  • “They are getting destroyed. Now that film is out on what they try to do… You’re a bunch of physical cowards. Okay, great. That’s just how we’ll attack you then.” (Dan, 53:17)
• Need to Toughen Up:
  • “They must become more physical… Beat them up physically. You can climb all over their backs. You can knock them off the dribble.” (Dan, 52:54)

6. College Football: Coaching Drama & Ethics

• Michigan State and Pat Fitzgerald Hire:
  • Scathing critique on Michigan State even considering Pat Fitzgerald after Northwestern’s hazing/sexual abuse scandal.
  • “If you’re Michigan State… you spent years and millions of dollars [overcoming] the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal… now you’re going to hire [Fitzgerald]? Really?” (Dan, 37:36)
  • “His whole bit was culture. And the irony is that he had a toxic criminal culture that he developed and cultivated.” (Matt, 41:07)
• Lane Kiffin to LSU, Coaches Leaving Early:
  • Critical of coaches taking new jobs before the season ends (e.g., Lane Kiffin’s emotional exit for LSU).
  • “I don't like this aspect of college football… your season’s still happening. I just don’t think it’s right.” (Matt, 48:08)
  • “Just say you like the money… Say it’s a bigger, better job…” (Dan, 47:21)

7. Locker Room Laughter & Notable Moments

• Andrew Billings—Can He Run a 5-Second 40-Yard Dash?
  • Playful banter about big man Andrew Billings’ speed—listeners encouraged to bet on whether he could break 5.0 seconds.
  • “That play where he was chasing Hurts. I may have rewound it immediately two or three times just to watch again.” (Matt, 28:07)
• Personal Tangents:
  • A light-hearted segment on Dan’s “loud flossing” at home, married life quirks, and the hunt for a new nickname for the interior offensive line.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bears Being For Real:
  • “Why not now? Now that they've aced the Philly test. They aced it.” (Dan Bernstein, 03:37)
• Matt on the Playoff Field:
  • “There isn’t a team out there that the Bears can’t beat.” (Matt Abbatacola, 05:45)
• On Ben Johnson’s Playcalling:
  • “It’s now… two of the last three [games] where he had 18 passes in a row. Didn’t even realize he was doing that.” (Matt, 06:44)
• Dan on the Offensive Line:
  • “Ryan Poles said, okay, Joe Thuney, Drew Dahlman and Jonah Jackson right now find me a better guard, center, guard combo in the league.” (Dan, 09:15)
• Celebrating Nishan Wright’s Takeaway:
  • “The play that made the Eagles famous, the play that made Jason Kelsey famous, the tush push—[Wright] simply take[s] the football… It was a magnificent play by Wright.” (Dan, 17:10)
• On Pat Fitzgerald Hire:
  • “His whole thing was culture… and the irony of it was that he had a toxic criminal culture that he developed and cultivated.” (Matt, 41:07)
• Matt on College Coaches’ Moves:
  • “I don’t like this aspect of college football… guys shouldn’t be interviewing, taking jobs, leaving jobs while the job's still happening.” (Matt, 48:08)
• On the Bulls Weakness:
  • “You’re a bunch of physical cowards. Okay, great. That’s just how we’ll attack you then.” (Dan, 53:17)

Fun/Light-hearted Bits

• Andrew Billings’ 40 Time Wager:
  • “I love Andrew Billings. I'm going to take Andrew Billings under 5 [seconds] in the 40.” (Matt, 29:47)
  • “Not a chance. He can… there is no way that that man can run any 40 that starts with a 4.” (Dan, 29:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bears are #1 Seed, Reaction & Playoff Outlook: 01:28 — 05:45
• Coaching, Playcalling, Offense/Run Game: 05:45 — 13:31
• Offensive Line Dominance, Nickname Talk: 09:15 — 15:00
• Nishan Wright’s Game-Changing Play & Locker Room Celebration: 15:47 — 23:27
• NFL/NFC Playoff Picture: 13:31 — 15:00
• State of Bulls, Need for Toughness: 52:54 — 54:52
• Pat Fitzgerald / Michigan State Rant: 37:17 — 43:42
• Lane Kiffin, College Coaching Carousels: 44:07 — 49:55
• Andrew Billings' Speed Debate/Banter: 27:02 — 30:01
• Show Wrap/Listener Thank Yous & Social Media Growth: 54:56 — 58:41

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for Chicago sports diehards and football obsessives alike. Bernstein and Abbatacola deliver candid, insightful analysis of the Bears' arrival as NFC front-runners, deeply crediting coaching, offensive line strategy, and team culture—while keeping the discussion lively with jokes, wagers, and authentic Chicago context. The episode is equal parts tactical football breakdown, local sports therapy session, and irreverent sports radio reunion.

Perfect For:

• Bears fans who want to understand why this season feels different
• NFL junkies interested in X's and O's
• Listeners who crave unfiltered, local sports talk with heart and humor

Skip to:

• [15:47] for the best locker room audio of the week
• [29:47] for playful debate over lineman sprint times
• [37:17] for the sharpest criticism of college football hiring practices around