Dan Bernstein Unfiltered — Episode Summary

Episode: "Dennis Allen and defense moving forward | Friday Feedback | Bottom 10 Lions of All-Time"

Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (312 Sports)

Overview

This episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered packs the signature blend of unfiltered Chicago sports perspective, sharp analysis, and listener engagement. Dan and Matt review a chaotic college football bowl day, dive into controversial officiating and violence in NCAA football, dissect Dennis Allen’s defensive leadership and media handling, and host an extra-lively “Friday Feedback Friday” segment. Wrapping up, the hosts present their much-anticipated "Bottom 10 Lions of All Time" lists—a blend of football history and cultural critique that doesn't hold back.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. College Football Bowl Review & Officiating (00:08 – 09:04)

• Dan and Matt commiserate over a long day of underwhelming bowl games, with the Ole Miss–Georgia game salvaging the experience for both.
• Matt singles out Tulane quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’s emergence (01:02):

  "If you missed on the Trinidad Chambliss trademark... you missed it, because that was it last night." – Matt (01:17)

• They sharply critique NCAA officiating and the celebration of violence in the broadcast:

  "The Georgia Ole Miss game was probably one of the most violent football games I've watched in a long time." – Dan (03:20) "How celebrated those violent collisions are when most of those would be called penalties in the NFL." – Dan (02:28)

• Several missed penalties are discussed (face masks, targeting, defenders “making hits because they’re too awesome looking”).
• Matt credits the broadcast team while noting the bizarre finish of the game; both agree the late-night game made the day worthwhile.

2. Dennis Allen’s Defensive Struggles & Media Accountability (09:04 – 14:33)

• Dan and Matt critique Saints DC Dennis Allen’s refusal to answer questions about his defense's failures:

  “Forget about our defense being historically awful in the last game. It’s not important to us right now.” – Matt paraphrasing Allen (09:38) “Coaches love that word. They love the word accountability, but here’s an opportunity for it every week and they go out of their way to try to avoid it sometimes. And that’s not okay.” – Matt (11:35)

• Contrast with open, accountable coaches like Ben Johnson:

  “It makes you look cowardly to say, I'm not answering questions about that. That's in the past. We don't talk about that anymore.” – Matt (14:24)

• Debate about when and how coordinators should be made available to the press.
• Dan calls for transparency:

  “If it’s the day of, the day after, or three days later: answer the damn questions. It's fair.” – Dan (12:24)

3. Friday Feedback Friday: Listener Interaction & Notable Emails (16:36–39:55)

a. Personal Impact & Regret as Courage (17:13 – 20:24)

• Listeners respond to last week’s quote from Brené Brown:

  “When used constructively, regret is a call to courage and a path to wisdom.” – Dan (17:13, 17:19)

• Both hosts express appreciation for the personal stories and the emotional resonance the show has with fans.

b. Sports & Faith; Arbitrary Sports Milestones (20:45 – 26:59)

• Listener Glenn explores the theological implications of players giving “the will of God” as a reason for victory/defeat.
• Tom challenges the significance of 4,000-yard passing seasons:

  “The 4,000 passing yard metric can be viewed in the same way as a very flawed measurement of offensive success... It’s entirely superficial.” – Listener Tom (24:31)

c. Representation in Sports Media (27:09 – 39:52)

• Adam and Evan applaud the impact of the TV series “Heated Rivalry” for its same-sex romance in a sports setting.
• Evan, a gay sports fan, is optimistic:

  “Heated rivalry imagines a world where [an openly gay star] could happen... Hoping the show's booming popularity just might be the impetus some emerging athletes need to choose a life of authenticity over one of fear.” – Evan (38:02)

d. Miscellaneous Listener Notes

• Stonecutter’s comedic rant against Packers radio color analyst Larry McCarron – a highlight for its hyperbolic, meme-style “if there are a million haters, I am one of them...”
• Professor John, on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ struggles and personality vs. other draftees:

  “I just need him to be a better passer. Preferably yesterday, but I'll take tomorrow.” – Professor John (32:57)

e. Celebrating Division Titles, Dungeons & Dragons Style

• Listener Spencer “rolls a 12-sided die” to demonstrate why division crowns matter from a probability—and fan—perspective.

f. The Lion King Plagiarism Email (39:55 – 46:07)

• A passionate and detailed email categorizes “The Lion King” as the “worst lion ever” for alleged plagiarism of Osamu Tezuka’s "Jungle Emperor Leo."

  “Disney for years has pleaded argumentum ad ignorantium. But it's bullshit… you're telling me the largest animation company on the planet... was completely unaware of... one of Japan’s most recognizable media characters?” – Listener (40:00–45:30)

• Dan and Matt, with tongue firmly in cheek, “attribute it to coincidence.”

4. Bottom 10 Lions of All Time (48:27 – 77:55)

a. Dan’s Committee List

• Countdown from #10 to #1, with detailed stories and sharp (often darkly funny) commentary:
  • #10: Eric Ebron (drafted instead of Aaron Donald, a fan sore spot)
  • #9: Matt Patricia (universally disliked coach, infamous “slouching” incident)
  • #8: Cam Sutton (disastrous free agent signing/release post abuse allegations)
  • #7: Reggie Rogers (tragic pick—accidents, prison, substance abuse)
  • #6: Charles Rogers (injuries, drug suspensions, early death)
  • #5: Andre Ware/Wayne Fontes (scouting ignored, drafting debacle, career flop)
  • #4: Aaron Gibson (draft bust, Bears as only productive stop)
  • #3: Chris Claiborne/Marty Mornhinweg (OT coin toss fiasco)
  • #2: Joey Harrington (major QB bust, infamous stats)
  • #1: Matt Millen (spectacularly failed GM, 0–16 season)

b. Matt’s Dubious Lions List

• Not limited to the Detroit Lions—includes cultural, historical, and pop cultural targets:
  • Leona Helmsley (“only the little people pay taxes”)
  • Eric Hipple (“pinata for the '85 Bears”; later became a mental health advocate)
  • Dan Orlovsky (ran out of the back of his own end zone, 0–16 Lions nadir)
  • Dave Thompson (Lions/Saints draft pick blunder, 1974)
  • Marty Mornhinweg (OT coin toss infamy)
  • Drooper (Banana Splits) (“just kind of sucked”—childhood mascot trauma)
  • Penn State Nittany Lion (symbolic, post-Sandusky scandal darkness)
  • Joe Cullen (D-line coach who went through Wendy’s drive-thru naked)
  • Jim Bob Cooter (former OC, notorious Knoxville arrest, alleged record suppression)
• Additional notable Lions: Matt briefly attempts to inject levity into serious or tragic entries, often with dark wit.

Notable Moments:

• Jon Kitna dressing as naked Joe Cullen for Halloween (75:17)
• Both hosts recall the infamous coin-toss loss and poke fun at Lions futility.
• Jim Bob Cooter’s name and escapade provokes customary laughs and mock disbelief.

5. DBU Picks & Personal Notes (79:17 – 88:43)

• Both hosts share their picks for the weekend’s NFL games. Dan is rooting against Aaron Rodgers and favors the Bears, Rams, Ravens. Matt gets creative with NBA prop bets for Nikola Vucevic.
• Personal highlights include:
  • Stories about finishing a cake slice by slice from the garage (Matt’s “garage cake” saga)
  • Shoutouts to local Chicagoland restaurants and podcast listeners

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “There’s no more sleeping on Trinidad Chambliss.” — Matt (01:17)
• “The Georgia Ole Miss game was probably one of the most violent football games I've watched in a long time.” — Dan (03:20)
• “If you missed on the Trinidad Chambliss trademark... you missed it, because that was it last night.” — Matt (01:17)
• “Coaches love that word. They love the word accountability, but here’s an opportunity for it every week and they go out of their way to try to avoid it sometimes. And that’s not okay.” — Matt (11:35)
• “When used constructively, regret is a call to courage and a path to wisdom.” — Dan quoting Brene Brown (17:13)
• “I just need him to be a better passer. Preferably yesterday, but I'll take tomorrow.” — Professor John, on Caleb Williams (32:57)
• “Disney for years has pleaded argumentum ad ignorantium. But it's bullshit… you're telling me the largest animation company on the planet... was completely unaware...?” — Listener on Lion King plagiarism (40:00–45:30)
• “He lines up in shotgun, and... ran out of the back of his own end zone for a safety.” — Matt, on Dan Orlovsky (65:21)
• “Jim Bob Cooter... entered an apartment, stripped down to his underpants, and got into bed with a woman that he didn't know...” — Matt (75:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |---------|------| | College Football Officiating & Violence | 00:08 – 09:04 | | Dennis Allen, Accountability, Defense | 09:04 – 14:33 | | Friday Feedback (Listener emails, Regret & Courage, Faith in Football) | 16:36 – 39:55 | | Heated Rivalry, LGBTQ+ Rep in Sports | 27:09 – 39:52 | | Lion King “Plagiarism” Rant | 39:55 – 46:07 | | Bottom 10 Lions of All Time | 48:27 – 77:55 | | DBU Picks | 79:17 – 82:09 | | Personal Stories (Garage Cake, Listener Shoutouts) | 84:37 – 88:43 |

Conclusion

This episode’s combination of football analysis, media and cultural critique, and interactive audience engagement defines Dan Bernstein Unfiltered’s unique voice in Chicago sports podcasting. The "Bottom 10 Lions" segment offers an irreverent, hilarious, and sometimes sobering ride through NFL, pop culture, and American infamy, while the listener feedback showcases the genuine relationship between the show and its fans. If you’re looking for smart debate, real sports insight, and a few detours into cake eating and cartoon archiving, this episode is a must-listen.