Forward Progress - Chicago Bears Podcast

Postgame Show: Bears 31, Cowboys 14

Hosts: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This postgame episode celebrates a surprisingly dominant win for the Chicago Bears over the Dallas Cowboys. Hosts Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola dissect the victory, examine individual and team performances, and place the win in the larger context of the season's expectations. The show is rich with the analytical breakdowns, frustrations, humor, and fan passion that define Forward Progress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unexpected, Authoritative Victory

• The Bears led 31–14 with 3:26 left, allowing the hosts to go live early and relish a victory most fans did not see coming.
• "Nothing cures what ails you like a Matt Eberfluous defense." – Dan, [00:17]
• The Cowboys’ defense was shockingly poor, providing little pressure and making it easy for the Bears' offense. The absence of CeeDee Lamb and the inefficacy of Dak Prescott were major themes.
• "If Matt Eberfluss makes it to the end of this season as the coordinator for the Cowboys, I'll be very surprised." – Matt, [00:55]
• The victory lifts the Bears from ‘bottom tier’ status, at least temporarily. There’s optimism but tempered by recognition of Dallas’ poor play.

2. Offensive Highlights and Development

• The Bears’ offense balanced "explosive" plays with sustainability, thanks to smart playcalling and effective execution.
• Trick plays (most notably a flea-flicker TD to Luther Burden) helped “take the top off” Dallas’ Tampa 2 defense.
• "[The flea flicker] was a perfect example of whatever you have to do to make sure that those safeties aren't deep enough. And hell, Luther Burden arrived. What a terrific game for him." – Dan, [01:27]
• Hosts note the Bears succeeded by both capitalizing on Cowboys mistakes and demonstrating they could manufacture methodical, sustained drives.
• The signature series: a 19-play, 76-yard, almost 10-minute touchdown drive in the third quarter—the first Bears 19-play drive since 2009—was deemed the key “turning point” of the game.
  • “What really made me happy... was that 19 play drive... It gave me a great deal of confidence. That was my favorite part of this game.” – Matt, [05:34]

3. Caleb Williams’ Finest Day Yet

• Williams: 19/28, 298 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs; nearly 11 ypa.
• He showed poise and skill, exploiting Dallas’ weak defense while acknowledging occasional routine misses.
• "I think Caleb Williams could still be really good and I still haven't taken great off the table for him." – Dan, [09:40]
• Bears fans (and even the Wiener Circle) will celebrate, as local hot dogs are free after Williams’ four passing TDs [07:07].
• Room for growth: missed throws (e.g. off-target to Rome Odunze) were noticed, but the overall arrow is pointed up.

4. Emergence of Rookie WR Luther Burden

• Burden had a breakout game (102 yards, 1 TD), starring on the flea-flicker TD. He’s identified as an early candidate for NFC Offensive Rookie of the Week.
• "He was a larger part of the game plan than he has been the first two weeks of the season." – Matt, [39:39]

5. Defense Makes Statement

• Bears recorded four takeaways—three interceptions (including one by Tyrique Stevenson, who made a “hell of a play” [07:54]) and a strip.
• Effective game-planning stifled Dallas, who lacked downfield intent and became one-dimensional after falling behind.
• Noted deficiencies: the Bears’ run defense allowed Dallas 6.1 ypc on 20 carries, a concern for tougher opposition ([35:36]).

6. Offensive Line Garners Praise

• Generally strong protection for Williams, allowing him to “move within and closely outside the pocket.”
• Darnell Wright’s penalty issues (six already this season) were flagged, but overall, Braxton Jones and others earned kudos ([15:00]).

7. Bears’ Running Game: A Work in Progress

• Swift and Manungai had minimal statistical impact (49 yards on 19 carries), yet the running game contributed key short-yardage conversions, particularly on the signature long drive.
• Matt: “I'm done with Kyle Menungai. I don't know that I ever started... what does he do?” – [16:51]

8. NFC North and NFL Context

• The win pulls the Bears out of the "bottom tier," with the Vikings besting the Bengals, and the Packers losing in a bizarre, defensive struggle against the Browns (with much humor made of Joe Flacco’s "Frankenstein’s monster" cadence [20:19, 45:54]).
• The schedule “softens” before the bye, presenting a chance for further momentum.
• "Next week becomes a lot more winnable... I don't think much of the Raiders and then the commanders." – Dan, [09:06]

9. Media & Booth Critiques

• The hosts thoroughly lambast Tom Brady’s performance as an analyst, calling him “absolutely terrible” and “replacement level,” with Matt joking:
  • “They could take me to Soldier Field before the game today, put me in the booth and I could have done the equivalent of what Tom Brady did today...” [11:47]
• Ongoing jokes about bad analyst cliches (Moose Johnston’s “We talked about it”) and playful banter about commercials.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the 19-play, 10-minute drive:

  • “What really made me happy, though, was that 19 play drive... It gave me a great deal of confidence. That was my favorite part of this game.” – Matt, [05:34]

• On Caleb Williams’ performance and development:

  • “He has to do away with some of the inexplicable misses... Go ahead and enjoy. I think Caleb Williams, if you want to say throw some 'I told you so's' out there, go ahead and do it.” – Dan, [09:40]

• On Bears' standing:

  • “They've taken, like, ass bad off the table. Right?” – Dan, [14:20]
  • “If this was a close game, then like, like really bad would still be on the table. But this was an absolute blowout... they've taken that bottom tier of the NFL off the table with this one victory.” – Matt, [14:31]

• On the Cowboys' offensive approach:

  • “Dak Prescott... looked like the second-year quarterback... really conservative, doesn’t really want to go downfield, take chances.” – Matt, [02:05]

• On Defensive standouts:

  • “Tyrique Stevenson actually showed up and played well in this game.” – Dan, [09:03]

• On Tom Brady in the booth:

  • “I don't listen to analysts. I just watch the game and I eat my food. Now I'm listening to Tom Brady's every word. He says nothing. He adds nothing.” – Matt, [13:03]

Important Segments with Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:17–03:10 | Opening, preemptive jubilation, Cowboys' defensive ineptitude, initial offensive highlights | | 03:10–07:06 | Signature 19-play drive, gameflow context, positive implications for the season | | 07:54–09:03 | Tyrique Stevenson’s interception, defensive standout moments | | 09:06–09:40 | Season recalibration, schedule outlook, thoughts on Caleb Williams' trajectory | | 11:43–13:03 | Scathing (and humorous) review of Tom Brady’s TV analyst debut | | 14:20–14:52 | The Bears “off the very worst” tier, with a blowout win | | 15:00–16:21 | Offensive line and pass protection analysis | | 17:17–18:09 | Grievances with Bears’ RB depth—especially Manungai | | 18:37–19:24 | Caleb Williams’ stat line and overall offensive summary | | 20:19–21:25 | Around the NFC North: Vikings, Packers, and "Frankenstein’s monster" cadence with Flacco | | 23:13–24:58 | Notes on game charting, recurring broadcasters' pet peeves | | 27:12–27:15 | Tight ends' minimal involvement—stat check | | 31:53–34:00 | Creative playcalling (Ben Johnson) and how the win builds opponent preparation complexity | | 35:29–37:12 | Bears’ run defense issues and concerns going forward | | 40:49–41:39 | Risk of using star receivers as RBs—CeeDee Lamb’s injury reflection | | 43:19–44:11 | Flea-flicker detail—timing, separation, and playful argument | | 45:54–46:39 | Flacco as "Frankenstein's monster" and the perils of immobile QB play | | 49:23–49:53 | Outlook: Bears out of the cellar, chance to go .500 before the bye |

Tone & Language

Conversational, analytical, and laced with Chicago sports sarcasm. The hosts connect with listeners through frank assessments, dry wit, inside jokes, and a realistic but hopeful view of the Bears’ trajectory. Critical of NFL clichés and the perils of overreacting—either to wins or losses.

Concluding Takeaways

• The Bears, for the moment, have escaped the NFL basement. They dominated a flawed Dallas team, played a clean game, and showcased their rookie quarterback’s potential in a statement performance.
• Room for improvement remains, notably in the running game and run defense, but there’s a healthier blend of optimism and skepticism than at any other point this season.
• Luther Burden’s emergence and Ben Johnson’s creative playcalling add material reasons for hope.
• Next week’s Raiders matchup is a genuine chance to build real momentum.

“We look at this as a nice solid data point. The Bears are not as bad as we thought they were and they may have an opportunity to be better. Is that fair?” – Dan, [49:13]

Final Record: Bears now 1–2, with a more optimistic air as the season (and the division) remain wide open.