Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints Preview
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Dan Bernstein, with Matt Abbatacola
Release Date: October 17, 2025
Episode Focus: A no-nonsense, unfiltered deep dive into the Chicago Bears’ upcoming matchup against the New Orleans Saints, featuring signature banter, sharp football analysis, and the show’s celebrated Top 10 Saints segment.
Episode Overview
This special Friday edition of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered sets the table for the Bears’ Sunday showdown with the Saints. Alongside weekly listener feedback and lighthearted parent talk, the show delivers updates on key Bears injuries, insights on the current NFL landscape, a deep, humorous Top 10 “Saints” countdown, and the hosts’ expert betting picks.
With laughs and sharp debate, Dan and Matt blend Chicago sports talk, NFL trends, storytelling, and audience engagement for a show that’s both fun and full of substance.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Banters, Dads, and Annoying Your Kids
- [00:08–03:08] The show launches with lively commentary about “Take Your Kid to Work Day,” the differences between annoying sons vs. daughters, and the unique rituals of Chicago sports dads.
- Quote: “The way you annoy a daughter is very different than ... the annoying type things you do to a son.” – Dan [02:03]
2. Thursday Night Football and NFL Roundup
- [03:08–08:04] Dan and Matt discuss the previous night’s football game:
- Max Scherzer’s larger-than-life personality after a playoff baseball win.
- Quote: “All right, you fucking psycho, get in there.” — John Schneider to Scherzer [03:29]
- The unexpectedly entertaining football game, with insights on Joe Flacco’s impressive performance.
- Critique of Steelers’ defensive failures and play-calling logic.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick’s observation: “Sometimes we make football too complicated. When you have really good receivers, throw them the ball.” [05:51]
- Max Scherzer’s larger-than-life personality after a playoff baseball win.
- Sympathy for Aaron Rodgers after a teammate falls on his surgically repaired Achilles.
3. Joe Flacco's Hall of Longevity
- [08:04–12:08]
- Comparison of Joe Flacco’s career to “the Hall of Very Good” QBs: Jim Hart, Roman Gabriel, Phil Simms, Andy Dalton, Kerry Collins, Dave Krieg, Jay Cutler, Jim Everett, Bob Griese, and Jim Plunkett.
- Quote: “That’s the Hall of Longevity. Guys who never left.” – Dan [10:26]
- Revisiting old draft takes and highlighting the Bears connections among Flacco’s “comps.”
- Comparison of Joe Flacco’s career to “the Hall of Very Good” QBs: Jim Hart, Roman Gabriel, Phil Simms, Andy Dalton, Kerry Collins, Dave Krieg, Jay Cutler, Jim Everett, Bob Griese, and Jim Plunkett.
4. Injury Report: Bears and Saints
- [15:52–16:49]
- Quick rundown of key names on the latest injury lists:
- Bears: Grady Jarrett, Cairo Santos, Noah Sewell (DNP); D.J. Moore (limited)
- Saints: Alvin Kamara (limited), Chris Olave, Taylor, and Ridgeway (full)
- Quick rundown of key names on the latest injury lists:
5. Listener Engagement: Friday Feedback
- [16:49–43:33]
- Reading and reacting to top comments and emails from listeners, ranging from:
- Fan sensitivity and reactions to broadcaster Troy Aikman.
- Advice for how Caleb Williams can win PR battles as a rookie.
- Quote: “You take the high road… you appreciate any feedback he has... if I get to get a career like Troy Aikman, that’s the whole point of it.” – Matt [19:13]
- Deep-dive into PFF grading methodology and its controversies (see timestamps [32:03–38:07]).
- Notable community explanations and eye-test debates for Caleb Williams’s misleadingly low PFF grade despite his performance.
- Quote: “Still, in my world… there’s no shot for Caleb to be graded lower than Justin Fields. There just isn’t.” – Matt [37:42]
- Lively talk about online candy and ice cream reviews, show in-jokes, nostalgic TV references, and more.
- Reading and reacting to top comments and emails from listeners, ranging from:
6. Soundboard High Jinks and Show Culture
- [24:01–27:19]
- Playful experimentation with new show music clips, thanks to recent access to a large sound library.
- “Good, Better, Best” jingle arms race for the pod.
7. Top 10 Saints of All-Time Countdown
Presented by the Committee (Matt) and Dan’s Own List
- [43:33–71:54]
-
Structural Format: A blend of dishonorable mentions, pop culture references, actual saints, historical events, sports figures, and personal favorites.
-
Committee’s (Matt’s) List:
- Dishonorable Mentions: St. Louis (for the Cardinals), Elvis’s “When the Saints Go Marching In,” 2009 film “Saint John of Las Vegas,” Mount St. Helens eruption, “The Saint” (2007 film), “St. Elmo’s Fire.”
- Honorable Mentions: Louis Prima’s “When the Saints Go Marching In,” St. Pauli Girl beer, Yves Saint Laurent.
- Top 10 Highlights:
- #10: The Many Saints of Newark (Sopranos prequel)
- #9: St. Paul, MN – Hubbard Broadcasting HQ
- #8: Eva Marie Saint – iconic actress, lasting legacy
- #7: St. Elsewhere – beloved medical drama (“Family appointment viewing,” per Dan [51:20])
- #6: Amon-Ra St. Brown (NFL WR)
- #5: The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (Chicago true crime history)
- #4: St. Martin (Caribbean island vacation spot)
- #3: The Boondock Saints (cult film)
- #2: St. Patrick’s Day (the “overdrinking, puking, gluttonous eating…” holiday)
- #1: St. Nicholas (Santa Claus, patron of sailors, children, brewers, etc.)
-
Dan's List:
- Honorable Mentions: “When the Saints Go Marching In,” Paul Simon’s “Rhythm of the Saints,” St. Vincent (musician and Bill Murray film), Ron Santo
- Top 10 Highlights:
- #10: St. Marciana – “martyred by bull and leopard” (notable for spectacular martyrdom, per Dan [62:26])
- #9: Billy Bob Thornton as St. Nick in “Bad Santa”
- #8: Santa Poco (fictional village from “The Three Amigos”)
- #7: St. Cassian – “murdered by school kids” with writing implements (gruesome martyr)
- #6: Bears kicker Cairo Santos (born in São Paulo, lived in St. Augustine, name means Saints) [66:14]
- #5: St. Germain – favorite Paris neighborhood
- #4: St. Lawrence – “grilled alive,” legendary last words: “I’m well done on this side. Turn me over.” [68:47]
- #3: The Old Course at St. Andrews – birthplace of golf
- #2: St. Elsewhere (TV show) [51:20]
- #1: St. John Houghton – martyred in London: hanged, drawn, and quartered, legendary for steadfast faith under extreme torture [69:39]
- Quote: “John reportedly cried out, what will ye do with my heart?” – Dan [71:31]
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Memorable Segment: Friendly “dueling lists” of saints rapid-fire historical facts, sports and pop references, and vivid storytelling about iconic martyrs.
-
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Football Analysis:
“Sometimes we make football too complicated. When you have really good receivers, throw them the ball.” – Ryan Fitzpatrick (quoted by Dan) [05:51] -
On Annoying Daughters vs. Sons:
“The way you annoy a daughter is very different than ... the annoying type things you do to a son.” – Dan [02:03] -
On Joe Flacco’s Peers:
“That’s the Hall of Longevity. Guys who never left.” – Dan [10:26] -
On the Hall of Fame:
“If we’re kicking people out of the Hall of Fame, I’m kicking this dude out.” – Dan [09:46] -
On PFF Grades:
“Still, in my world… there’s no shot for Caleb to be graded lower than Justin Fields. There just isn’t.” – Matt [37:42] -
Saints List Vibe:
“I’m well done on this side. Turn me over.” – St. Lawrence, per Dan’s list [68:47]
“John reportedly cried out, what will ye do with my heart?” – St. John Houghton, per Dan’s list [71:31] -
Classic Smartassery:
“Louie Prima’s version of When the Saints Go Marching In… if music could cause diarrhea, this would top the list.” – Matt, reading from committee [45:20]
Bears-Saints Betting, Injuries, and Preview Tidbits
-
Injury Updates: [15:52–16:49]
- Bears: Jarrett, Santos, Sewell (DNP), D.J. Moore (limited practice)
- Saints: Alvin Kamara (limited)
-
Betting Picks for the Weekend: [72:55–74:48]
- Matt’s College Parlay:
- Vanderbilt -2.5 vs. LSU; Tulane -10 vs. Army
- Matt’s NFL Parlay:
- Chiefs -12.5, OVER 45.5 vs. Raiders
- Dan’s Bears Game Prop Parlay:
- Over 21.5 rushing yards for Spencer Rattler, under 21.5 completions for Rattler
- Matt’s College Parlay:
Segment Timestamps (Approximate Key Markers)
- 00:08 – Open, dad talk, car singing, and parenting banter
- 03:14 – Thursday Night Football, Scherzer, Joe Flacco, Steelers
- 08:04 – Flacco’s “Hall of Longevity” discussion
- 15:52 – Bears-Saints injury update
- 16:49 – Listener Feedback: Fan sensitivity, Troy Aikman, Caleb Williams, PFF
- 24:01 – Show soundboard shenanigans, jingle
- 32:03 – PFF grade controversy for Caleb Williams (community responses)
- 43:33 – Top 10 Saints of All-Time committee list & discussion
- 51:20 – “St. Elsewhere” TV show as top 2 saint for Dan
- 62:26 – Dan’s list of saints (notable for creative entries and martyr tales)
- 72:55 – Betting advice and picks for the weekend
Tone and Style
- Direct and conversational: Pulls no punches, Chicago-style straight talk.
- Smart, irreverent, and occasionally profane: Especially during Top 10s, sports rants, or tales of NFL oddities.
- Listener-centered: Heavy inclusion of community feedback and narratives.
- Both analytical and nostalgic: Mix of deep football/basketball analysis and pop culture/T.V. references.
Summary Takeaways
- Bears vs. Saints Outlook: Injury news and weather expected to impact the game, with Dan providing cautious prop picks for mobile quarterback play and a warning against overvaluing completion stats.
- NFL Analysis: Bears fandom gets both a reality check and encouragement, while classic Bears QB foibles and legendary “Hall of Very Good” comparisons provide context for today’s league.
- Pop Culture and Saints List: The “Top 10 Saints” segment is a must-listen for its blend of history, football, martyrdom, and signature Chicago wit.
- Engaged Audience: Listener feedback weaves throughout the episode, keeping it rooted in the concerns and culture of Chicago sports fans.
If you missed it, listen for expert updates, unique football context, and brilliant banter—a perfect weekly pregame fix for Bears (and Chicago sports) die-hards.