Forward Progress - Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Bears vs. Bengals Postgame Breakdown

Host: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: November 2, 2025

Main Theme:

The Chicago Bears outlast the Cincinnati Bengals in a chaotic, high-scoring shootout (47–42), with the episode capturing immediate postgame reactions, critical analysis of offensive and defensive performances, spotlighting both breakout and problematic moments, and exploring the wild, “blobby” NFL landscape.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

Postgame Emotions and the Nature of the Win

• [01:26] Dan Bernstein: Opens with the emotional exhaustion of the game:

  “I swear to you, I feel like I’ve aged 15 years in the last three and a half hours.”

• [02:09] Matt Abbatacola expresses joy despite the game’s flaws, underscoring the victory:

  “I haven't stopped smiling... There's so much to criticize in the game. But they won 47 to 42.”

The Kyle Monungai Game

• [02:21] Dan Bernstein:

  “This can be the Kyle Monungai game and that Kyle Monungai doesn’t end up a footnote in a horrible loss.”

• Praises Monungai’s first half (100+ yards), finishing with 176 yards rushing.
• [05:41] Matt Abbatacola:

  “He ran the ball hard, he hit the hole fast, he didn’t hesitate. He was able to get to the second and even third level...”

• Both hosts agree the offensive line excelled in run blocking, while pass protection was less reliable.

Critical Analysis: Caleb Williams & Offensive Execution

• [05:58] Matt: Critiques the passing game, placing responsibility on rookie QB Caleb Williams for holding onto the ball too long:

  “The deficiencies in the passing game today are on number 18 and 18 only.”

• [06:59] Matt: Calls attention to the “record” of four Bears attempting a pass in one game.
• [07:13] Dan: Attributes offensive creativity to OC Ben Johnson, reflecting trust in his players and a willingness to dip into the trick plays.

Defense: Flawed but Resilient

• [04:53] Dan Bernstein:

  “The Bears allowed Joe Flacco to throw for 470 yards, a career high. They couldn’t run the ball so they had no choice but to throw it.”

• Both hosts agree the game was defined by two poor defenses allowing almost unchecked offensive success.

Special Teams: A Disaster

• [02:21, 17:59] Dan & Matt: Call out Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower, with Dan going as far as:

  “If they wanted to do that to Richard Hightower, I'd understand. Special teams was atrocious, absolutely atrocious...” [02:21]

• Bears allowed 297 kick return yards, including a 98-yard touchdown by Bengals’ Charlie Jones.
• Faulty onside kick recovery and general ineptitude highlighted as nearly game-losing flaws.

Notable Performances and Individual Plays

• Colston Loveland:
  • Best pro game: 6 catches, 118 yards, 2 TDs.
  • Dan [11:15]: “A big day for him, especially when they were putting the Warren numbers right up next to his...”
• Austin Booker:
  • Sack and strip evoked Khalil Mack-style power.
  • Dan [12:24]: “That looked like Khalil Mack. That augers well for more playing time for him going forward.”
• DJ Moore:
  • Quality, but played through an apparent hamstring/glute injury.
• Britain Brown:
  • Five carries, 37 yards, scoring a 22-yard TD in debut (another seventh-round “hit”).
• Montez Sweat, Gardner Johnson:
  • Both credited for stand-out defensive plays.

Officiating and Rule Oddities

• [13:48] Dan: Comments on learning about post-interception contact and possession, and the nuances of a DJ Moore “extremity catch” touchdown; draws parallel to infamous plays from Bears/NFL history.

Coaching: Scheme and Adjustments

• [22:38] Matt: Praises OC Ben Johnson’s game plan for attacking Bengals’ weak perimeter defense:

  “Anytime...whether it was a run or pass to get outside the numbers, the Bengals' edge defense is just absolutely atrocious.”

• Both critique defensive lack of pressure up the middle versus Flacco and lament unforced errors like delay-of-game on the goal line.

The "Blob" NFL and Division Standings

• [08:12] Dan:

  “The Bears are one of the teams that are half a game out of first place.”

• [38:52] Matt:

  “This is the ultimate blob season that we're experiencing. ...the Blob is getting bigger each week now.”

• NFC North described as “blobby”—wide-open and unpredictable, with Bears, Lions, Packers, and Vikings all clustered.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Monungai:

  “That man...he might have a very short career but enjoy him while you can.” — Dan [04:20]

• On the game’s chaos:

  “It was full of sound and fury and mostly signifying nothing.” — Dan [07:03]

• On special teams:

  “The special teams was just awful. Absolutely awful.” — Matt [17:59]

• On Flacco:

  “Joe Flacco knows where to throw the ball, when to throw the ball. ...He was throwing such nice balls today...” — Matt [16:39]

• On high scores:

  “Dan, there was 89 points scored in this game today.” — Matt [34:05]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Game Reaction/Open: 01:26–02:21
• Monungai/Bears Offense: 02:21–07:13
• Defensive struggles/Flacco: 04:47–07:03, 16:39
• Special Teams Meltdown: 02:21, 17:59–19:12, revisit 41:38
• Officiating/Rules: 13:48–15:31
• Standings Update/‘Blob’ Talk: 08:06–08:56, 38:52–39:32
• Individual Plays/Performers: 11:15–12:55, 26:27–27:41
• Endgame/Near Collapse: 25:57–27:41; Onside kick: 29:26
• Fandom & Color Commentary: 34:51–35:41, 46:54
• Division/NFL Scoreboard: 40:11–41:30

Significant Analytical Points

• Bears offense: Generated big plays but still showed rookie mistakes, especially with Caleb Williams’ timing and rhythm.
• Run game improvement: Offensive line dominated run blocking; Monungai’s vision and decisiveness stood out.
• Defensive lapses: Safeties burnt repeatedly, multiple coverage busts, and inability to pressure a statuesque Flacco.
• Special teams: Cost the Bears dearly; called out as a potential job-losing area for the coordinator.
• Coaching: Ben Johnson’s scheme creative but at times risky; game management still shaky (e.g., goal line penalties).
• Division and league context: Bears are unexpectedly in the hunt in a crowded, mediocre division.

Memorable Endnote

“It was fun. Well, it's fun now. This would not be fun had they lost.”
— Dan Bernstein [38:49]

Conclusion

A high-wire Bears win—equal parts exhilarating and exasperating. Dan and Matt deliver deep-dive breakdowns, honest critiques, infectious emotion, and a healthy dose of Chicago football camaraderie. The show encapsulates the manic highs and lows of being a Bears fan during a season shaped by parity (or, as they say, “the Blob”).

For next week:

• Can the special teams woes be fixed?
• Will Monungai remain the feature back?
• Can Caleb Williams evolve as a “rhythm” quarterback?
• The postgame mood may hinge on it all again—stay tuned.