Bears-Raiders Postgame Breakdown

Podcast: Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the gritty, hard-fought Chicago Bears’ 25-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Dan and Matt dissect a game filled with turnovers, tactical adjustments, and flashes of both brilliance and blunder. The hosts blend critical analysis with humor and emotionally-charged fan reactions, capturing both the technical and visceral dimensions of being a Bears fan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game Recap: Ugly but Important Win

• The Bears even up their record at 2-2 with a win that was anything but pretty, securing it with four defensive takeaways and a last-minute blocked field goal.
• “This game tape is not going to be sent to Canton, but the Bears have evened their record heading into the bye week with a 25-24 victory over the Raiders.” — Dan (00:22)
• Both hosts remark on the sloppiness, but acknowledge the importance of winning games you “should” win, no matter how unsightly.

2. Defining “The Blob”

• The game was described as a “battle of the Blob”—referring to the muddled middle class of the NFL where teams are hard to separate.
• “Two teams entered the Blob. One team leaves victorious and luckily... One team leave, but both still in Blob.” — Dan & Matt (00:54–01:22)

3. Clutch Caleb Williams

• Williams engineered a crucial 11-play, 69-yard game-winning drive.
• “Give Caleb Williams credit because when the Bears got the ball down 24–19 at their own 31, he manufactured a touchdown drive.” — Dan (01:23)
• The hosts note this isn’t the first time Williams has mustered such late-game composure, though accuracy on open throws remains a concern.
  • “There are so many of those mid-range, some of those like 15–22 yard passes that are critical in the difference between being mid and being really good. And that’s what you pay for is that kind of accuracy.” — Dan (08:38)

4. Offensive Line Shuffle: The Turning Point

• Major changes to the offensive tackles before halftime (moving Ozzy Trapillo left and Benedict to the right, benching Braxton Jones) quieted Max Crosby and improved run blocking.
• “This change was made around the two-minute warning of the first half... the benching of Braxton Jones did make a difference in this game. There is absolutely no question.” — Dan (03:10)
• The coaches are praised for making a bold, midgame adjustment.
  • “You’re the coach. Do something. If something’s bad, act on it. Do something. Don’t be fatalistic. And I really think that this end of first half move with both tackle positions... is really risky... And it worked.” — Dan (31:31)

5. Coaching Adjustments and Attitude

• Ben Johnson gets credit for recognizing in-game issues, getting visibly frustrated at half, and making bold calls.
  • “It’s a big game for Ben Johnson, too... to move both tackles on the road and have your offense and particularly your run game improve... speaks very highly about the job that Ben Johnson did.” — Dan (04:22)
  • “[At halftime] You need to change what you’re doing. He goes, ‘I don’t know. You think so?’” — Adidi Kinkhabwala quoting Coach Johnson, relayed by Dan (05:05)

6. Special Teams & Key Defensive Plays

• Game saved by a blocked field goal by Blackwell.
  • “You got a huge blocked field goal attempt from Blackwell to end the game 25-24.” — Matt (01:35)
• Kevin Byard and Tyreek Stevenson earn praise for playmaking; “game balls” called out by the hosts.
• Bears’ defense forced four takeaways, a deciding factor in the win.

7. Offensive Struggles & Individual Standouts

• Cole Kmet is singled out for a particularly poor performance: drops, false starts, missed opportunities.
  • “Cole Kmet was hot garbage in this game. That was one of the worst games I’ve seen him have overall as a Bear.” — Dan (06:06)
• Cairo Santos’ reliable kicking is a highlight for Chicago.
  • “Game ball for Cairo Santos, absolutely.” — Dan (06:59)
• Ashton Gentry runs wild against Chicago’s defense: 130 yards rushing, team total of 240.

8. Red Zone Blues and Missed Opportunities

• Offense repeatedly stalled by self-inflicted wounds: penalties, bad snaps, and failed red zone execution.
• Despite five Bears’ drives starting in Raiders territory, they win by only one.

9. State of the Team Going Into Bye

• The win brings the Bears to 2-2, squarely in the NFL’s “middle tier”—“the Blob.”
• Discussion on whether the team should get extra time off for the Bye; hosts argue that they need more work, not rest.
  • “I hope Ben Johnson doesn’t [give them time off] because this team A) doesn’t deserve it and B) needs the time together.” — Matt (10:54)
• Praise for recent O-line changes; a call for continued reps post-Bye to build cohesion.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On the game's overall quality:
  “This is not something you’re going to hang in the museum of football aesthetics. But it’s a road win against a team that apparently wanted to get beat and a Bears team that decided after a half that it was going to do everything it could do to stop getting in its own way.” — Dan (25:31)

• On getting the road win:
  “I’m perfectly happy getting any kind of a road win. As ugly as this was.” — Dan (25:31)

• On Caleb Williams’ inconsistent accuracy:
  “There aren’t many guys that make those throws. And then it’s those wide open ones that he throws two feet short. I just...Like I screamed at the TV. I just want to see him be more consistent with the easy ones.” — Matt (26:42)

• On the midgame tackle switch:
  “You never want to change two positions when it’s possible to only change one. And they said, screw it, we’re changing two. And it worked.” — Dan (31:31)

• On special teams’ premonition:
  “Coach Ben Johnson said he could hear Richard Hightower in his headset narrating before the Raiders field goal. He said, ‘Blackwell’s gonna block it.’” — Dan (37:21)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:23] — Caleb Williams’ game-winning drive
• [03:10] — Offensive line changes and impact on Max Crosby
• [04:22] — Coaching adjustments and Ben Johnson’s impact
• [06:06] — Cole Kmet’s struggles
• [06:59] — Cairo Santos’ clutch kicking, defensive game balls
• [10:54] — Post-bye week preparation debate
• [25:31] — The “road win at any cost” sentiment
• [31:31] — Importance and risk of major midgame adjustments
• [37:21] — Special teams call and Blackwell blocked FG

Additional Takeaways

• Red Zone Woes: The Bears’ first three red zone trips produced only field goals; offensive execution remains a concern.
• Ongoing Wide Receiver Puzzle: Luther Burden’s usage was notably limited after a career week, sparking minor consternation.
• Run Defense Lapse: The team surrendered 240 yards on the ground, an alarming regression.
• Coach & Culture: Hosts stress the importance of coaches reacting decisively, which they credit Johnson for with the O-line switch.

Summary

This episode is a testament to the experience of being a Bears fan: skeptical optimism, sharp critique, and deep analysis capped with dry wit. A week after bashing the Cowboys, Chicago claimed another, if less impressive, victory by outlasting self-inflicted wounds and capitalizing on a dismal Raiders squad. The episode sets the stage for the upcoming bye week—equal parts hope and skepticism, with critical questions about roster, coaching, and what real progress looks like in the heart of the NFL’s “Blob.”