Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Chicago Bears Need the Full Support of the City!!

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

Host: 312 Sports

Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and producer Matt "Mattie" Abbatacola deliver a classic, wide-ranging conversation focused squarely on the Chicago Bears’ playoff run and their quest for civic pride and support. The episode opens with banter about the city’s iconic Art Institute Lions and whether they’ll don Bears helmets—a symbol of communal spirit that sparks a bigger discussion about tradition and the desire for Bears' winning to become routine. The hosts segue between passionate Bears talk, insightful football analysis, city sports culture, and the latest Chicago and national sports headlines, all underscored by an unfiltered, humorous vibe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Art Institute Lions and Chicago’s Civic Traditions

• Segment Start: 00:08

• The Ritual: Dan and Mattie debate when (or if) the Art Institute Lions will get their Bears helmets—traditionally done in moments of playoff excitement.
• History Lesson:
  • The Lions wore Bears helmets in: 1985, 2007 (Super Bowl run), and 2011 (NFC Championship).
  • They’ve also sported hats/helmets for other teams (Cubs 1984, Sox 2005, Blackhawks 2010).
• Civic Mood:
  • Dan argues the helmets should be on already, given the significance of back-to-back playoff games.
  • Mattie wants putting helmets on the lions to become so routine that Chicagoans almost get bored of it, symbolizing Bears excellence.
• Notable Quote:
  • “I want it to be so mundane and so routine…that it's just something...I guess I’ve got to put the helmets back on.”
    —Mattie (07:16)

2. AI, Nostalgia, and the “Comeback” Video

• Segment: 02:41

• The Video: The hosts emotionally react to a creative, AI-driven “future documentary” about Bears fans reminiscing about an era of championships.
• Discussion of how AI, when used ethically, can evoke powerful, positive nostalgia in sports fans.
• Shoutouts to AI creators like Mark Morgan and the Neural Viz channel.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Against my better judgment, I was watching that. I'm standing in the middle of the kitchen like, fine…And it got me.”
    —Mattie (04:15)
• Lighthearted Take:
  • Joking about the possibility of future AI videos featuring the Lions complaining about wearing helmets and longing for “cool” visors and accessories (09:41).

3. The Bears: Playoff Pressure and Run Game Analysis

• Segment Start: 10:19

• Pressing Need:
  • The Bears’ run game must improve for their playoff push. Mattie highlights concerns about offensive line issues, especially with missing left tackle (Braxton Jones), and possible reliance on backup Theo Benedict.
• Ben Johnson’s Admission (Clip played ~11:12):
  • Johnson discusses the recent decline in the run game and anticipates a tough matchup against the Rams' strong defensive line.
  • “We got a really tough opponent…They shed blocks at an elite level...We’re going to have to be on our A game to be able to run it on this crew.”
    —Ben Johnson (11:30)
• Technical Football Breakdown:
  • Deep dive into personnel packages (explaining “13 personnel" – one running back, three tight ends).
  • The flexibility and mismatch created by tight end Colson Loveland, who can act as a receiver in heavy sets.
  • Play action, edge containment, and how the Packers’ aggressive, gap-shooting linebackers disrupted the Bears’ inside run.

4. Bears Secondary & Health: Jalen Johnson vs. Tyreek Stevenson

• Segment Start: 24:46

• Jalen Johnson’s Health & Usage:
  • Discussion about why Johnson was benched early, and the tricky balance between playing an experienced (but not fully healthy) veteran vs. a physically ready substitute.
  • “It's really hard because it goes to the whole question of, all right, is an 80% healthy…Jalen Johnson really that much better than 100% healthy Tyreek Stephenson?”
    —Dan Bernstein (26:07)
• Scheme Adjustment:
  • The Bears may modify safety looks (e.g., Kevin Byard shading help) depending on Johnson’s physical limitations.

5. Breaking News: College Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

• Segment Start: 33:20

• Headline: Federal prosecutors indict 20 individuals—including ex-college players and pro players in China—for fixing games. Former Bull Antonio Blakeney is revealed as a cooperating witness in the scheme.
• Takeaway: The gravity of game-fixing, the NBA’s likely response, and a candid reflection on Blakeney’s career—“He shot it every time he touched it, which I always had respect for.” —Mattie (36:37)
• Notable Quote:
  • “He's a rat.”
    —Dan (38:20)

6. Chicago Bulls Chat & NBA Musings

• Segment Start: 39:38

• Bulls Recap: Mild praise for the Bulls after a “glorious bum festival” of a game, with rookie Bryce Sensabaugh's explosive scoring off the bench (24 pts in 9 minutes).
• Future Outlook:
  • Calls for tanking and acquiring draft capital as the team remains stuck in mediocrity—“They’d be smart to start thinking about the old tankaroony right here.” —Mattie (42:42)
• Entertaining Moments:
  • Jokes about past bets and “writing checks your body can’t cash.” (44:27)

7. MLB Payrolls – Parity and Relegation Jokes

• Segment Start: 44:48

• Dan shares FanGraphs payroll data, highlighting huge disparities among divisions:
  • NL West: $1.03B; AL Central: $573M.
  • The hosts mockingly suggest “relegation” for the AL Central as a way to acknowledge the lopsided economics.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The winner of the AL Central gets out of the AL Central?”
    —Dan (46:23)
  • “That's like a different league…That is criminal.”
    —Mattie (46:38)

8. Heated Rivalry Recap: Personal Fandom and Streaming TV

• Segment Start: 47:42

• Mattie raves about the TV series “Heated Rivalry,” getting emotional about its impact, especially by episode 4.
• Both hosts reference their deep ties to Chicago sports, with Mattie’s wife fully immersed in the Heated Rivalry fandom.

9. Lighthearted Segment: Fortune Cookie Capitalism

• Segment Start: 51:18

• Mattie gifts Dan a birthday fortune cookie—but the punchline is a tiny Amazon Prime ad on the back of the fortune. The commercialization of everything, even fortune cookies, becomes a launching point for jokes about capitalism.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Monopoly, they monetized fortune cookies.”
    —Dan (53:11)
  • “My first thought was anger…And then I got over that real quick and…thought this is really fucking cool…I wish I thought of it.”
    —Mattie (54:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Chicago Sports Rituals:
  • “I want it to be so mundane and so routine…that it's just something...I guess I’ve got to put the helmets back on.” —Mattie (07:16)
• On Bears Run Game:
  • “We got a really tough opponent…They shed blocks at an elite level...We’re going to have to be on our A game to be able to run it on this crew.” —Ben Johnson (11:30)
• On AI Sports Nostalgia:
  • “Against my better judgment, I was watching that. I'm standing in the middle of the kitchen like, fine…And it got me.” —Mattie (04:15)
• On Defensive Injuries:
  • “Is an 80% healthy…Jalen Johnson really that much better than 100% healthy Tyreek Stephenson?” —Dan (26:07)
• On Commercialized Fortune Cookies:
  • “Monopoly, they monetized fortune cookies.” —Dan (53:11)
• Breaking News Reaction:
  • “He shot it every time he touched it, which I always had respect for.” —Mattie (36:37)
• On AL Central Payroll:
  • “That's like a different league…That is criminal.” —Mattie (46:38)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Section | Start Time | |------------------------------|:--------------:| | Lions/Helmets/Tradition | 00:08 | | AI Bears Memory Video | 02:41 | | Bears Run Game Deep Dive | 10:19 | | Ben Johnson Run Game Audio | 11:12 | | Personnel/Play Action Schemes| 15:11 | | Jalen Johnson Injury Talk | 24:46 | | Breaking Basketball News | 33:20 | | Bulls/NBA Talk | 39:38 | | MLB Payrolls, Relegation | 44:48 | | Heated Rivalry (TV) Recap | 47:42 | | Fortune Cookie Capitalism | 51:18 |

Summary: Style & Tone

Dan and Mattie deliver their trademark blend of sharp, unfiltered sports commentary, Chicago insider knowledge, and loose, humorous banter. The episode smoothly weaves between big-picture Bears analysis and unique cultural takes, making it both informative and entertaining—even for listeners who missed the show. Throughout, they maintain a passionate but lighthearted vibe, reinforcing the sense that Chicago sports are much more than just games—they’re a way of life.