Forward Progress – Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bears – Raiders Preview

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Forward Progress dives deep into the Chicago Bears' upcoming road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Dan and Matt break down the injury reports, spotlight key player matchups, question coaching narratives, and – with their Friday tradition – present their top 10 “Raiders” of all time. With their trademark insight and humor, they set the table for Bears fans heading into a pivotal early-season game, mixing football analysis with their signature banter and some highly creative Raiders rankings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears-Raiders Game Preview & Broadcast Info

Kickoff: Sunday, 3:25 p.m. CT at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.
Broadcast: CBS, “the D team” (Spiro Dedes, Adam Archuleta).
Postgame: Forward Progress will go live immediately after the game; listeners are encouraged to subscribe and get notifications.

"We're always the first to it and we're the best. That's why you should join us." – Dan [00:49]

2. Bears Injury Report & Roster Watch (01:14–03:03)

Chicago Bears DNPs (Did Not Participate) Thursday:
- TJ Edwards
- Kyler Gordon
- Grady Jarrett
- Colston Loveland (hip – described as “minor”)
- Darnell Wright
Other Notes:
- Jalen Jones (Limited)
- Cole Kmet (Full)
- DeAndre Swift (Limited)
- DeMarco Jackson (Full)
Critique: NFL.com listing Jalen Johnson as participating is “not true” per Matt. [02:37]

3. Raiders Injury Update (03:03–03:18)

Key Return: Brocks Bowers “full participation” and is described as possibly "already the best tight end in football."
Hosts question how the Bears' secondary, especially without Jalen Johnson, will defend Bowers and manage coverages.

4. Tyrique Stevenson & Coaching Staff Comments (03:49–07:37)

Coaching Quote: Defensive comments on Tyrique Stevenson center around his need for “consistency, physically and mentally.”

"We challenge him every day to be a consistent worker." – Bears' Defensive Coordinator (as recited by Dan & Matt) [04:13, 06:08]
Hosts' Reaction: Dan immediately interprets this as “lazy” or “distracted,” questioning the public nature of the criticism.

"When your head coach calls you out for not practicing hard enough ... and now your defense coordinator says we challenge him to be consistent – either lazy or distracted." – Matt [05:12]

5. Bears’ Run Game, Offensive Line Issues & Play Calling (08:09–10:15)

Analysis of DJ Moore in the backfield – theorized as a way to engage him while covering for a weak run game.
Discussion of DeAndre Swift’s execution, offensive line chemistry, and unnerving commentary from Ben Johnson (offensive coordinator).
Insight: The O-line is composed of “decorated veterans,” and the hosts are impatient with excuses for their lack of cohesion.

“Get on with it ... Look at how many games they’ve started. Come on.” – Dan [10:07-10:13]

6. Bears Offensive Line Depth Concerns (10:15–10:55)

Call-out: Bears’ draft struggles are evident, mentioning inactive, underperforming third-round picks (“not playing and not good enough”), foreshadowing possible roster churn.

“What are you doing with your third-round picks?” – Dan [10:53]

7. Special Teams Assessment and Raiders’ Weaknesses (10:55–14:50)

Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower’s Comments: He lauds the Raiders’ effort but is met with skepticism.

“We’re not going to fall for the banana in the tailpipe...” – Hightower [11:57]
Reality Check: Raiders are the NFL’s worst in punt and kickoff coverage, per stats; Dan and Matt sharply reject “coachspeak.”

"You can't watch that on tape and say I see guys that play hard ... That’s not the case when you’re statistically the worst team in football at both those areas.” – Matt [14:09]
Opportunity: Advantage for Bears’ return specialist Luther Burden to exploit Raiders’ coverage woes.

8. Point Spread & Home Crowd Factor (14:09–14:50)

Line: Bears a narrow 1-point road favorite.
Traveling Fans: Game could feel like a home contest for Chicago, with ticket sales suggesting a 50-50 crowd split.

9. Weekly Friday Tradition: Top 10 “Raiders” of All Time (15:25–51:58)

Format & Banter:

Each host prepares a separate, highly researched (and humor-filled) ranking of all-time “Raiders”—spanning football, history, pop culture, candy, and more.
Segment opens with a dramatic reading of the "Autumn Wind" poem (Raiders lore). [17:49–18:44]

Matt’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Includes:
- Pirates (Calico Jack, Blackbeard, Sir Francis Drake, Black Bart)
- Historical figures (Genghis Khan, Henry Morgan)
- Fictional & pop culture (Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Nicholas Cage as John Madden)
- Musical & sports teams (Paul Revere & the Raiders, Texas Tech Red Raiders)
- Special mentions: Space Raiders (1983 film), Nick Raider (comic detective).
“Number one raider of all time… Indiana Jones… the title character and protagonist of the Indiana Jones franchise.” – Matt [33:02]

Dan’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Distinctive for wordplay, Chicago sports references, and cultural nods:
- Real people/fictionals whose names sound like "Raider" (Ray Raynor, "Refrigerator Raider" milk ad, Cubs catcher Dave Raider, White Sox manager Doug Rader)
- World of Warcraft’s “Leroy Jenkins” (iconic gamer raid fail), [39:06–40:08]
- John Brown (Harper’s Ferry raid)
- Corporate raiders (Carl Icahn, T. Boone Pickens)
- Raid bug spray (ad campaign)
- European candy bar formerly known as “Raider” (name changed to Twix)
- Star Wars aliens called “Raid,” among others
- Number one: Salah Mohammed Faisal El Kahir (“Sallah” from Indiana Jones), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” co-hero.
"You can have Indiana Jones … he can’t do any of that without Sallah. That everything that happened – there is no possible way." – Dan [50:16]

Memorable Banter & Quotes:

On pirates being "raiders":

“I tried to keep the pirates out of it because I think a pirate's a pirate … but a pirate can be a raider.” – Dan & Matt [19:29–19:38]
On Paul Revere & the Raiders:

“Let me see your front-loading musket or top loading musket? … That’s not a musket!” – Dan, riffing on 1960s costumes [29:12–29:17]
On Raiders’ “Indian Reservation” song:

“Interestingly, it wasn't about a governmentally supplied parcel of land. It was about a particular dinner they had.” – Dan [29:29]
On Doug Rader’s infamous prank:

“Raider was the guy who famously … when a teammate was to be presented with a birthday cake, … took a shit on it.” – Dan [47:26]
On Sallah:

“He is a raider … wherever he is, there is always a point where without Sallah, the story ends.” – Dan [50:16]

Segment Lengths:

Segment starts: [15:25]
Dramatic "Autumn Wind" reading: [17:49–18:44]
Main list banter: [20:01–51:58]
Highlights:
- Matt’s #1 (Indiana Jones): [33:02]
- Dan’s #1 (Sallah): [50:11]

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Coach Critiques:

"When your head coach calls you out for not practicing hard enough... that's really... could be a significant trigger of a guy that doesn't work hard." – Matt [05:12]
On Special Teams:

"You can't watch that on tape and say I see guys that play hard. They play to the whistle. That's not the case when you're statistically the worst team in football at both those areas." – Matt [14:09]
On Offensive Line Issues:

“Look at how many games they’ve started. Come on.” – Dan [10:13]
On Bears Fans in Las Vegas:

“As much of a home game on the road as you can get, because of the estimates that it’s 50/50 based on ticket sales.” – Dan [14:50]
On Sallah’s value to Indiana Jones:

“He can’t do any of that without Sallah... There is always a point where without Sallah, the story ends." – Dan [50:16]

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:18 – Kickoff/broadcast/game details
01:14 – Injury updates (Bears)
03:03 – Raiders injury notes, focus on Brock Bowers
04:13/06:08 – Tyrique Stevenson critiques/coach quotes
08:09 – DJ Moore in the backfield; run game struggles
10:13 – Offensive line veteran critique
10:55 – Special teams analysis; Raiders’ coverage woes
14:09 – Spread/home crowd travel notes
15:25 – Start of top 10 Raiders segment
17:49–18:44 – “Autumn Wind” poem (Raiders lore)
33:02 – Matt’s #1 Raider (Indiana Jones)
50:11 – Dan’s #1 Raider (Sallah)
51:58 – Wrap up of top 10 segment, closing thoughts

Final Thoughts & Preview

The hosts reinforce how pivotal this game is both for the Bears’ season and for individuals like Tyrique Stevenson looking to change their narrative. The Raiders are vulnerable in key areas, especially special teams, and the Bears have opportunities to exploit weaknesses if veteran units can finally gel. Listeners are encouraged to join the instant, unfiltered postgame show for the most immediate Bears analysis.

"Check in with us... if you have, you have subscribed already, make sure you do that little bell icon that gives you the notifications right to your phone that we are going live... and watch along. Lots of great interactions wherever you are." – Matt [52:55]

End of summary.

Forward Progress – Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bears – Raiders Preview

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 26, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears-Raiders Game Preview & Broadcast Info

Kickoff: Sunday, 3:25 p.m. CT at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.
Broadcast: CBS, “the D team” (Spiro Dedes, Adam Archuleta).
Postgame: Forward Progress will go live immediately after the game; listeners are encouraged to subscribe and get notifications.

"We're always the first to it and we're the best. That's why you should join us." – Dan [00:49]

2. Bears Injury Report & Roster Watch (01:14–03:03)

Chicago Bears DNPs (Did Not Participate) Thursday:
- TJ Edwards
- Kyler Gordon
- Grady Jarrett
- Colston Loveland (hip – described as “minor”)
- Darnell Wright
Other Notes:
- Jalen Jones (Limited)
- Cole Kmet (Full)
- DeAndre Swift (Limited)
- DeMarco Jackson (Full)
Critique: NFL.com listing Jalen Johnson as participating is “not true” per Matt. [02:37]

3. Raiders Injury Update (03:03–03:18)

Key Return: Brocks Bowers “full participation” and is described as possibly "already the best tight end in football."
Hosts question how the Bears' secondary, especially without Jalen Johnson, will defend Bowers and manage coverages.

4. Tyrique Stevenson & Coaching Staff Comments (03:49–07:37)

Coaching Quote: Defensive comments on Tyrique Stevenson center around his need for “consistency, physically and mentally.”

"We challenge him every day to be a consistent worker." – Bears' Defensive Coordinator (as recited by Dan & Matt) [04:13, 06:08]
Hosts' Reaction: Dan immediately interprets this as “lazy” or “distracted,” questioning the public nature of the criticism.

"When your head coach calls you out for not practicing hard enough ... and now your defense coordinator says we challenge him to be consistent – either lazy or distracted." – Matt [05:12]

5. Bears’ Run Game, Offensive Line Issues & Play Calling (08:09–10:15)

Analysis of DJ Moore in the backfield – theorized as a way to engage him while covering for a weak run game.
Discussion of DeAndre Swift’s execution, offensive line chemistry, and unnerving commentary from Ben Johnson (offensive coordinator).
Insight: The O-line is composed of “decorated veterans,” and the hosts are impatient with excuses for their lack of cohesion.

“Get on with it ... Look at how many games they’ve started. Come on.” – Dan [10:07-10:13]

6. Bears Offensive Line Depth Concerns (10:15–10:55)

Call-out: Bears’ draft struggles are evident, mentioning inactive, underperforming third-round picks (“not playing and not good enough”), foreshadowing possible roster churn.

“What are you doing with your third-round picks?” – Dan [10:53]

7. Special Teams Assessment and Raiders’ Weaknesses (10:55–14:50)

Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower’s Comments: He lauds the Raiders’ effort but is met with skepticism.

“We’re not going to fall for the banana in the tailpipe...” – Hightower [11:57]
Reality Check: Raiders are the NFL’s worst in punt and kickoff coverage, per stats; Dan and Matt sharply reject “coachspeak.”

"You can't watch that on tape and say I see guys that play hard ... That’s not the case when you’re statistically the worst team in football at both those areas.” – Matt [14:09]
Opportunity: Advantage for Bears’ return specialist Luther Burden to exploit Raiders’ coverage woes.

8. Point Spread & Home Crowd Factor (14:09–14:50)

Line: Bears a narrow 1-point road favorite.
Traveling Fans: Game could feel like a home contest for Chicago, with ticket sales suggesting a 50-50 crowd split.

9. Weekly Friday Tradition: Top 10 “Raiders” of All Time (15:25–51:58)

Format & Banter:

Each host prepares a separate, highly researched (and humor-filled) ranking of all-time “Raiders”—spanning football, history, pop culture, candy, and more.
Segment opens with a dramatic reading of the "Autumn Wind" poem (Raiders lore). [17:49–18:44]

Matt’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Includes:
- Pirates (Calico Jack, Blackbeard, Sir Francis Drake, Black Bart)
- Historical figures (Genghis Khan, Henry Morgan)
- Fictional & pop culture (Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Nicholas Cage as John Madden)
- Musical & sports teams (Paul Revere & the Raiders, Texas Tech Red Raiders)
- Special mentions: Space Raiders (1983 film), Nick Raider (comic detective).
“Number one raider of all time… Indiana Jones… the title character and protagonist of the Indiana Jones franchise.” – Matt [33:02]

Dan’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Distinctive for wordplay, Chicago sports references, and cultural nods:
- Real people/fictionals whose names sound like "Raider" (Ray Raynor, "Refrigerator Raider" milk ad, Cubs catcher Dave Raider, White Sox manager Doug Rader)
- World of Warcraft’s “Leroy Jenkins” (iconic gamer raid fail), [39:06–40:08]
- John Brown (Harper’s Ferry raid)
- Corporate raiders (Carl Icahn, T. Boone Pickens)
- Raid bug spray (ad campaign)
- European candy bar formerly known as “Raider” (name changed to Twix)
- Star Wars aliens called “Raid,” among others
- Number one: Salah Mohammed Faisal El Kahir (“Sallah” from Indiana Jones), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” co-hero.
"You can have Indiana Jones … he can’t do any of that without Sallah. That everything that happened – there is no possible way." – Dan [50:16]

Memorable Banter & Quotes:

On pirates being "raiders":

“I tried to keep the pirates out of it because I think a pirate's a pirate … but a pirate can be a raider.” – Dan & Matt [19:29–19:38]
On Paul Revere & the Raiders:

“Let me see your front-loading musket or top loading musket? … That’s not a musket!” – Dan, riffing on 1960s costumes [29:12–29:17]
On Raiders’ “Indian Reservation” song:

“Interestingly, it wasn't about a governmentally supplied parcel of land. It was about a particular dinner they had.” – Dan [29:29]
On Doug Rader’s infamous prank:

“Raider was the guy who famously … when a teammate was to be presented with a birthday cake, … took a shit on it.” – Dan [47:26]
On Sallah:

“He is a raider … wherever he is, there is always a point where without Sallah, the story ends.” – Dan [50:16]

Segment Lengths:

Segment starts: [15:25]
Dramatic "Autumn Wind" reading: [17:49–18:44]
Main list banter: [20:01–51:58]
Highlights:
- Matt’s #1 (Indiana Jones): [33:02]
- Dan’s #1 (Sallah): [50:11]

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Coach Critiques:

"When your head coach calls you out for not practicing hard enough... that's really... could be a significant trigger of a guy that doesn't work hard." – Matt [05:12]
On Special Teams:

"You can't watch that on tape and say I see guys that play hard. They play to the whistle. That's not the case when you're statistically the worst team in football at both those areas." – Matt [14:09]
On Offensive Line Issues:

“Look at how many games they’ve started. Come on.” – Dan [10:13]
On Bears Fans in Las Vegas:

“As much of a home game on the road as you can get, because of the estimates that it’s 50/50 based on ticket sales.” – Dan [14:50]
On Sallah’s value to Indiana Jones:

“He can’t do any of that without Sallah... There is always a point where without Sallah, the story ends." – Dan [50:16]

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:18 – Kickoff/broadcast/game details
01:14 – Injury updates (Bears)
03:03 – Raiders injury notes, focus on Brock Bowers
04:13/06:08 – Tyrique Stevenson critiques/coach quotes
08:09 – DJ Moore in the backfield; run game struggles
10:13 – Offensive line veteran critique
10:55 – Special teams analysis; Raiders’ coverage woes
14:09 – Spread/home crowd travel notes
15:25 – Start of top 10 Raiders segment
17:49–18:44 – “Autumn Wind” poem (Raiders lore)
33:02 – Matt’s #1 Raider (Indiana Jones)
50:11 – Dan’s #1 Raider (Sallah)
51:58 – Wrap up of top 10 segment, closing thoughts

Final Thoughts & Preview

"Check in with us... if you have, you have subscribed already, make sure you do that little bell icon that gives you the notifications right to your phone that we are going live... and watch along. Lots of great interactions wherever you are." – Matt [52:55]

End of summary.

Bears - Raiders Preview

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Summary

Forward Progress – Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bears – Raiders Preview

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears-Raiders Game Preview & Broadcast Info

2. Bears Injury Report & Roster Watch (01:14–03:03)

3. Raiders Injury Update (03:03–03:18)

4. Tyrique Stevenson & Coaching Staff Comments (03:49–07:37)

5. Bears’ Run Game, Offensive Line Issues & Play Calling (08:09–10:15)

6. Bears Offensive Line Depth Concerns (10:15–10:55)

7. Special Teams Assessment and Raiders’ Weaknesses (10:55–14:50)

8. Point Spread & Home Crowd Factor (14:09–14:50)

9. Weekly Friday Tradition: Top 10 “Raiders” of All Time (15:25–51:58)

Format & Banter:

Matt’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Dan’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Memorable Banter & Quotes:

Segment Lengths:

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Final Thoughts & Preview

Summary

Forward Progress – Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bears – Raiders Preview

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears-Raiders Game Preview & Broadcast Info

2. Bears Injury Report & Roster Watch (01:14–03:03)

3. Raiders Injury Update (03:03–03:18)

4. Tyrique Stevenson & Coaching Staff Comments (03:49–07:37)

5. Bears’ Run Game, Offensive Line Issues & Play Calling (08:09–10:15)

6. Bears Offensive Line Depth Concerns (10:15–10:55)

7. Special Teams Assessment and Raiders’ Weaknesses (10:55–14:50)

8. Point Spread & Home Crowd Factor (14:09–14:50)

9. Weekly Friday Tradition: Top 10 “Raiders” of All Time (15:25–51:58)

Format & Banter:

Matt’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Dan’s Top 10 Raiders Overview

Memorable Banter & Quotes:

Segment Lengths:

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Final Thoughts & Preview