Dan Bernstein Unfiltered

Episode: Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns | Soldier Field Showdown
Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Dan Bernstein
Co-Host: (Likely Matt Abbatacola, longtime producer; not explicitly named in transcript)
Guest: Matt Miller (ESPN NFL Draft Scout, segment from "Forward Progress")

Overview:

This episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered dives into the upcoming Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns matchup at Soldier Field, exploring game strategy, player analysis (with a focus on rookie QB Shedeur Sanders), injury updates, and broader sports topics. The show also covers a viral controversy involving Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw’s appearance at a political event, listener interactions from "Friday Feedback Friday," and ends with the signature quirky "Top 10 Browns" list and weekend betting picks.

Tone: Sharp, irreverent, honest, with strong opinions and a mix of humor and listener engagement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weather & Game Context ([00:38–01:30])

• Opening Banter: Conversations about Chicago weather setting the tough scene for the Bears-Browns game.
  • “Enjoy your last day of summer-like warmth...it's going to be cold.” (Dan Bernstein, 00:38)
  • Quick mentions of Christmas coming, outdoor decorations, personal jokes about misunderstood emails and hatchets.

2. Bears vs Browns: Matchup Analysis

a) Game Predictions & Strategy ([01:57–04:01])

• Bernstein is bullish on the Bears’ chances:
  • “If they played 100 times, the Bears would win 80 to 85 times.” (Dan Bernstein, 01:57)
• Key strategic debate: Pressure vs coverage?
  • “The question of this game is pressure or coverage? ...Between pressure and coverage, I’d play coverage. Make him throw it, take it away.” (Dan Bernstein, ~02:15–02:55)
• Reference to previous guest (Matt Miller) for deeper analysis.

b) Special Guest: Matt Miller on Shedeur Sanders ([04:01–07:42])

• Sanders’ Strengths & Weaknesses:
  • “He’s a pocket rhythm passer. Don’t expect Lamar Jackson—that’s not his game....In the NFL you want to be moving toward the line of scrimmage; unless you have elite athleticism, you can’t get away fading back forever.”
    (Matt Miller, 04:05)
  • Growth: “He’s doing a really good job of that [timing play-action/quick reads]. Better than I anticipated, coming from Colorado where he never played on time.”
    (Matt Miller, 04:49)
• Defense Approach:
  • “If I’m a Bears defensive mind, I’m dropping to landmarks...making you execute in structure and timing.” (Dan Bernstein, 05:48)
  • “Sit and wait, cover-3, cover-4, try to get home with four and sit and wait. ...If it’s a cold, windy day, some passes might flutter.”
    (Matt Miller, 06:21)
  • “They’re not throwing the ball very deep—sit back and feast a little bit, especially your safeties and linebackers.”
    (Matt Miller, 06:40)

c) Bears Defensive Plan ([07:42–09:25])

• Focus on exploiting Cleveland’s offensive line injuries.
  • “They had four guards and one offensive tackle listed this week in their injury report...” (Co-host, 08:13)
  • “Teven Jenkins was listed again, he still has that issue where he just can’t finish a game.” (Co-host, 09:10)
  • “Great when healthy, solid NFL player...he’s just always hurt.” (Dan Bernstein, 09:15)

d) Injuries – Latest Updates ([12:57–13:22])

• Bears: Kyler Gordon, Travis Homer (did not practice), others limited.
• Browns’ injury report is “a lot more than normal.” (Co-host, 13:19)

3. Off-Field Firestorm: Matt Shaw & Turning Point USA ([13:22–19:18])

• Cubs’ third baseman Matt Shaw is set to appear at the “America First 2025” Turning Point USA event:
  • “Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw is here, right in between Danica Patrick and Roger Stone...at the Turning Point USA America First 2025 Nazi-adjacent rally.” (Dan Bernstein, 16:03)
• Bernstein’s View:
  • Unfiltered criticism on the company and implications for Cubs brand.
  • “He is free to do this...Just don’t try to say this isn’t what this is. Just have the guts to stand up...and own it.” (Dan Bernstein, 17:26)
  • “Don’t minimize it. If you want to go to a gathering that tells me clearly that you are proud to be among hate mongers, homophobes, fascists, racists...do it—but own it.” (Dan Bernstein, 19:15)
  • Repeated: “Own it. That’s all I ask. Embrace it.” (Dan Bernstein, 18:21)
• Rant is a signature example of Bernstein’s “unfiltered” approach, merging sports with social commentary.

4. Listener Feedback & Chicago Sports Nostalgia

Friday Feedback Friday ([22:59–34:01])

• Interactive, rapid-fire section with voicemails and emails:
  • Humorous debates: e.g., Big Bill on a horse vs. Luther Burden in a footrace ([23:06–25:07])
  • Charlie Sheen soundalike: Listener Jay, whose rant prompts host banter and a running joke ([25:55–30:01])
  • Nostalgic email stories—Ray Nitschke’s sweetness off the field contrasted to his on-field mean streak (Howard in Scottsdale, [31:04–33:59])
    • “Ray Nitschke...the meanest man ever on a football field. Just wanted an ice cream sundae.” (Email from Howard, 31:54)
  • Bears-Packers rivalry: Long-term optimism now with both teams having strong QBs/coaches ([33:59–36:15])

5. Broader NCAA, NFL & Culture Topics

• Decline of Non-Playoff Bowls:
  • "Non-CFP bowls have become the NIT of football...made for mid-tier programs or those needing a vanity game." (Email from James in Racine, 37:05)
• Notre Dame/Big 12 Spat:
  • Clip: “I think Pete [Notre Dame AD]’s behavior has been egregious...totally out of bounds in his approach.” (Big 12 Commissioner, [38:12])
  • Bernstein: “Gloves are off!” ([39:07])

6. Quirky Signature Segment: “Top 10 Browns of All Time” ([45:04–68:29])

• Format: Host and producer riff on famous (and not-so-famous) Browns (name, color, food, brands, figures).
• Sample (#1 spot):
  • James Brown (“the Godfather of Soul”),
  • Brown Sugar (song and food ingredient),
  • Charlie Brown, UPS, Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Brown University, etc.
• Witty asides:
  • “Charlie Brown...our first working model of mental illness, of depression, of anxiety.” (Dan Bernstein, 64:42)
  • “The brown bag that we take for granted...don’t take them for granted.” (Dan Bernstein, 66:48)
• Deep dive on cultural meaning, plus cook’s perspective on brown sugar, jokes about fried chicken, etc.

7. Final Buzzer: DBU Picks & Weekend Bets ([68:32–71:00])

• Bears -7.5 over Browns, Broncos +2, Rams -6: “Fun little parlay.” (Co-host, 70:10)
• Bernstein: Bulls props/crazy stats and “Shador Sanders unders” (under 180.5 passing yards, under 16.5 completions).
  • “That tells you how I feel...I’m getting two Shador Sanders unders.” (Dan Bernstein, 70:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shedeur Sanders as a QB:
  “He’s a pocket rhythm passer...not elite arm strength. ...But his timing and rhythm, that’s what I’ve been encouraged by.” (Matt Miller, 04:05; 04:49)
• On game plan for Sanders:
  “Sit and wait...cover 3, cover 4, try to get home with four and sit and wait. ...Some passes might flutter.” (Matt Miller, 06:21)
• On Matt Shaw & Cubs at TPUSA:
  “Don’t try to say this isn’t what this is. Just have the guts to stand up when asked about it...be proud of it. Own it.” (Dan Bernstein, 18:21)
• Listener humor on Big Bill on a horse:
  “Luther Burden versus Big Bill on a horse – who wins?” (Adam in Atlanta, 24:01)
• On Ray Nitschke, Packers legend:
  “Ray Nitschke...the meanest man ever on a football field. Just wanted an ice cream sundae.” (Howard in Scottsdale email, 31:54)
• On “Top 10 Browns” riff:
  • “Charlie Brown—first working model of mental illness...” (Dan Bernstein, 64:42)
  • “Number one...brown sugar. ...A lot you can’t do without it.” (Dan Bernstein, 68:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Weather/Game Context & Banter – 00:38–01:30
• Bears vs. Browns: Game Analysis & Strategy – 01:57–09:25
• Matt Miller on Shedeur Sanders – 04:01–07:42; 06:21 (defensive strategy)
• Injury Reports – 12:57–13:22
• Matt Shaw/Turning Point USA Rant – 13:22–19:18
• Listener Feedback and Nostalgia – 22:59–36:15
• Decline of NCAA Bowl Games – 36:35–39:07
• Top 10 Browns of All Time – 45:04–68:29
• Final Betting Picks – 68:32–71:00

Overall Takeaways

• Honest, engaged sports conversation: Emphasizes unfiltered takes, both on and off-field.
• Smart, funny cultural context: Bears/Browns preview blends into takes on politics, fandom, and pop culture.
• Listener-driven: Interactive with voicemails/emails, making for a lively community feel.
• Memorable for: The detailed game strategy discussion around Shedeur Sanders, the extended Matt Shaw political controversy rant, and the "Top Browns" segment’s unique blend of sports and cultural esoterica.

For Chicago fans and sports podcast listeners, this episode is a sharp, irreverent ride through football strategy, locker room politics, and the eccentric universe of “Brown” in all its forms.