Chicago Bears improved run defense

Summary

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Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Chicago Bears Improved Run Defense
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abaticola

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Episode Overview

This episode of Forward Progress dives deep into the Chicago Bears’ recent improvements, focusing on their run defense and a methodical shift in offensive identity under coach Ben Johnson. Hosts Dan and Matt blend sharp X-and-O analysis with characteristic wit, exploring key play-calling changes, player performances, coaching philosophy, and injury updates. The episode features direct clips from Bears head coach Ben Johnson, lively banter, and Stat-driven insights, making it essential listening for any Bears fan looking to understand the team’s recent turnaround.

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Main Discussion Themes

1. Forming an Offensive Identity & the Power of Muscle Memory

• Dan opens by emphasizing the importance of building “muscle memory” through repeating successful concepts, especially in adverse, road conditions.

  “When you start getting the muscle memory of stuff that worked… you can go in adverse conditions on the road, in the rain—they know we want to run the ball and we can run over that right side or left side and start moving stuff.” (02:05)

• The coaching staff, led by Ben Johnson, is lauded for gradually identifying what personnel and play-calling fits the team, emphasizing adaptation over sticking with preconceived plans from training camp.

2. Game Plan vs. Washington: Attacking the Edge

• Matt highlights the Bears’ targeted approach exploiting Washington's weakness on outside run defense.

  “They invested a lot... on the interior defensive line and their edges have had a difficult time… that goes into the second and third levels as well with secondary players not filling gaps.” (04:20)

• Ben Johnson’s usage of DeAndre Swift’s speed to hit the perimeter paid off, reflecting both preparation and adaptability.

3. Defensive Improvements Against the Run

• The Bears’ run defense, long a sore spot, is improving, especially with the return of linebacker T.J. Edwards.

  “Getting Edwards back was huge… they held their running backs to 61 yards. That's significant because they were running the football up and down the field in their first four games.” (05:44)

• Excluding quarterback scrambles, the Bears clamped down on traditional ground attacks, a notable turnaround from earlier in the season.

4. Shanahan Offense Influence and Run-Action Expansion

• Dan repeatedly notes the Bears’ run concepts are drawn from the Shanahan playbook, opening up both play-action and boots for Caleb Williams.

  “If you really get it going in that direction, boy, do you have some chances with the boot game, with the play action game, RPOs, with the athleticism and the off-platform throwing ability of Caleb Williams.” (06:35)

• The expectation: as the run game gels, passing, especially to tight ends (e.g., Colston Loveland), will become more explosive.

5. Caleb Williams’ Rolling Out & Accuracy

• Matt raises concerns about Williams’ accuracy when rolling right, citing a large gap between his expected and actual completion percentage.

  “His expected completion percentage… number one in the NFL at 71%. His actual… at 61. That's a huge gap.” (08:21)

• Dan attributes most right-side rollout inaccuracy to desperation throws under pressure, not mechanical issues.

  “It's usually a late, can’t hurt, could help [throw], rather than tucking and sliding for two yards.” (09:00)

6. In-Game Execution, Option Routes & Explosive Plays

• Communication issues between Williams and receivers, especially on option routes, are flagged.
• Ben Johnson's offense is still hunting consistent “explosive plays”—20+ yards—often tied to deep in-routes and run-after-catch opportunities.
• DeAndre Swift’s 55-yard TD run was highlighted as a key turning point in the win.

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Direct Insights from Coach Ben Johnson

DJ Moore & Injury Updates

“DJ didn't make it back on the plane with us… The good news is that he's back in Chicago now and we'll take him day by day. But we did get good news there from that visit. And that was a groin injury.” (13:14)

Relationship with Caleb Williams

“The more time that we’re spending together, the more that we’re getting on the same page of why we like things, why we’re calling it, what we’re looking for. I think it’s going to help him play faster… we’re banking reps as we go.” (15:55)

Offense Learning from Failed Plays

“You always learn more from a failure… that fourth-and-one, we felt good about that play call there and in hindsight still do… We just didn’t come through on it.” (22:35)

Offensive Line & Running Game Progress

“Our run game as a whole, not just the tackles, but the entire unit, that’s the best we’ve played collectively as a group… that’s why we were so efficient running the ball.” (23:49)

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Highlighted Player Performances & Stats

• Darnell Wright (Tackle): Labeled “spectacular” for his ability to reach the second level and execute combo blocks in the run game.

  “Darnell Wright was spectacular… taking on sometimes two blocks on those really successful run plays for DeAndre Swift.” (25:09)

• DeAndre Swift (RB): 14 attempts on just 36 snaps; highly efficient, instrumental in stretching Washington’s defensive edges.
• Defensive Snap Counts: Notable heavy rotation on the defensive line.
• Key Defensive Standouts: Brisker, Edwards, Stevenson, Edmonds, Wright, Bayard with 100% snap participation.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On recognizing Washington’s weakness:

  “They saw the weakness and they took advantage of it and they game planned for it properly.” – Matt Abaticola (05:44)

• On Swift’s long TD run being the emotional spark:

  “That play by Swifty, the 55 yard touchdown, that was really the spark that we needed to reignite us—really the whole team.” – Ben Johnson (13:43)

• On DJ Moore’s mysterious groin issue:

  “I don’t know, maybe his penis fell off.” – Dan Bernstein, jokingly (15:07)

• On building emotional resiliency:

  “What Johnson keeps telling his team is to stay level. Whether you’re up or whether you’re down. Execute, execute, execute, and it comes down. That is how you build resiliency.” – Dan Bernstein (18:38)

• On the improved run defense ranking:

  “The Bears are no longer 32nd in defense yards per carry… they’ve dropped down to 5.7 yards per carry. That’s significant.” – Matt Abaticola (30:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Offensive Identity & Muscle Memory: 01:27–04:15
• Targeting Washington’s Defense: 04:15–06:31
• Shanahan Offense & Run Game Consequences: 06:31–08:14
• Caleb’s Rollout and Passing Concerns: 08:14–10:47
• Ben Johnson Postgame Presser Sound: 13:03–13:43, 15:55–17:34
• Fourth-and-One Play Call Analysis: 22:23–23:13
• O-line Praise & Run Efficiency: 23:49–25:21
• Run Defense Stats Update: 30:01–30:18
• Snap Counts & Player Participation: 30:39–34:11
• Weather Impact on Upcoming Game: 35:04–36:14

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Additional Notes

• Programming Teases:
  • Upcoming Saints Top 10 episode (26:04, 44:49)
  • Postgame live shows after every Bears game
• Fun Tangents:
  • Jokes about DJ Moore’s injury, pizza parties, and gang statistics in Chicago; lively back-and-forth that showcases the hosts’ chemistry (15:07, 34:28)
  • Unexpected segment on “salmon snagging” and Chicago riverfront gangs (39:26–42:18)
• Host’s Summary of Emotional Tone:
  • Encouragement about steady improvement, cautious optimism about new offensive identity; hosts’ sarcasm and humor keep the energy high.
• Coaching Mindset:
  • Echoed repeatedly: don’t get too high or low, learn from mistakes, continue building off what’s working.

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This episode masterfully blends deep analytics, coaching philosophy, and locker-room banter, providing clear-eyed optimism on the Bears’ development while staying true to the passions and anxieties familiar to every Chicago football fan.

Transcript

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abaticola]

Forward progress A Chicago Bears Podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt on 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

Time to talk about your three and two Chicago Bears. Let's go. Their winning team right now after consecutive 25 to 24 road victories, today's episode is always brought to you by Beer Church Brewing, New Buffalo's Brewery Pizzeria in a historic church Wood fired Neapolitan Pizza Small batch Craft beer brunch every day. Visit beer church brewing.com Ben Johnson has had some time now to digest his team's victory. We're told that DJ Moore is back from Washington after spending the night in the hospital for precautionary observation. We didn't get a lot of detail as to what is going on with his supposed groin injury. We had some speculation we were talking about earlier on DBU what it could be. Obviously we hope that he's okay, but now it's time for them to get to work reinforcing the positive, trimming away the negative and trying to figure out what matters and what can be put together to start forming an identity of an offense and an understanding of a play that can be called. Like we said immediately after the game, when you start getting the muscle memory of stuff that worked and knowing it's not just a matter of hope. When you say okay, we can go in adverse conditions on the road, in the rain, they know we want to run the ball and we can run over that right side or we can Run over that left side and we can start moving stuff. The more you keep doing that, the more you begin to put in a foundation off of which to rebuild. No matter what you thought after training camp and what you thought looking at your roster. I know I've been very staunch about this idea that all play callers, all game planners are shocked at the outset by what they can't do. And they have to confront that. This is in football, this is in basketball. It's in every level. Everybody thinks they've got all the magic plays and all the bells and whistles. I hope what we're seeing now are the fruits of the process of synthesis. Antithesis or thesis? Antithesis. Synthesis. Bring it back now. All right, here's what we can do. We know who our left tackle is. Here's what we can do. We know what our running back rotation is going to be. Here's what we can do. We know what personnel groupings we want to be in. This is the beginning. This is the second part of the beginning right now. And to also have it lead to victories reinforces what you should be doing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, and we talked about the coaching job done by Ben Johnson. Dennis Allen in that game against Washington gave them so much credit for that win. It was great preparation, using the bi week to understand their own team, to understand that they need to get better at the run game. And they had a perfect opportunity against Washington. And looking more into Washington after the game. Dan, the Bears took advantage of what Washington has a deficiency on in the defense and that is the outside run game. They invested a lot, money wise and player wise, on the interior defensive line and their edges have had a difficult time in executing defense on the run runs outside. And not only there, it goes into the second and third levels as well with secondary players not filling gaps, not reading correct run routes to help out in the front, close those gaps, close those run lanes. And the longer a team can extend and use patience against the Washington front, they can get outside runs and be successful. Now clearly Ben Johnson saw that in the run game and utilized that and maximized it for the Bears run game and, and gave DeAndre swift opportunities to use some speed using a weakness of the. Of the Redskins or of the commanders. I've done it again. Now I'm going to do it. Was it twice? I owe you two bucks now.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's two.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right. Shit.

[Dan Bernstein]

We're going to have a pizza party.

[Matt Abaticola]

But they saw the weakness and they took advantage of it and they game plan for it properly. And then the on the Defense, I think getting, getting Edwards back was huge and being able to help stop the run made a significant difference. You take out the scrambles from Jaden Daniels. We talked about this. They held their running backs and it was frosty to 61 yards. That's significant because they were running the football up and down the field in their first four games. But I love that that they saw a weakness in Washington and used it to their advantage to be able to build on strengths of not only their offensive linemen but their running back as well, which we've talked about. And that goes into understanding what you do well and being able to utilize that against the team's weakness. And they did a fantastic job with it in that win against Washington.

[Dan Bernstein]

So now what do you do when you know that some of these principles are starting to work? I tend to keep finding Shanahan stuff every time I'm looking at X and O explanations of what the Bears are doing well in their run game and what can be done off of that. Everything leads back to Kyle Shanahan stuff who obviously found has found ways to idealize some of his personnel and it shows you when some of his personnel are hurt and he's working with secondary and tertiary guys, it doesn't quite look the same when he loses some of that versatility. But even back to Mike Shanahan and Alex Gibbs and if you get it going, if you really get it going in that direction, boy, do you have some chances with the boot game, with the play action game RPOs, with the athleticism and the off platform throwing ability of Caleb Williams. There's so much cool stuff that you can get going when everything is headed downhill in one direction to pop some of that backside stuff. I think that's when we're gonna see these dreams of incorporating a tight end down the field and winning matchups. You know, Colston Loveland is a guy who's out there to win individual matchups as a pass catcher. To be able to have him against somebody who is either slower or smaller or both or isn't going to be able to react on the ball in tight spaces. So when you can see the vision is what I'm saying. You can, you can see what he, the ideas that he has.

[Matt Abaticola]

Let me ask you a question about Caleb's ability to throw on the rollout and running out and maybe I'm seeing something that's not there. We talked about his, the expected completion percentage, which is number one in the NFL at 71%. His actual completion percentage at 61. That's a huge gap. I think that might be the biggest gap in among starting quarterbacks that qualify for attempts. But am I wrong in noticing that when he's rolling out, especially to his right, he's becoming less accurate? Or am I making that up or am I seeing that correctly?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I think some of the accuracy issues that I've seen on the rolls to the right have been late desperation throws where especially he's just trying to.

[Matt Abaticola]

Escape the pocket and not get murdered.

[Dan Bernstein]

And. Well, when we saw the throw, I think it was the first game. Was that the throw to Roma do? Yes, it was against the vikings. It was 17 yards. It was a third and five on.

[Matt Abaticola]

The Minnesota third and it was an absolute bully.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, he's a 17 yard. Absolute perfection. I wrote down HST. Holy shit throw.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I think that sort of wetted our appetite. There have been a couple other opportunities because especially in a breakdown situation, in a scramble, the combination of receivers coming back for the ball and. Or turning up field, he just, he's. He runs out of space is what happens. And you can try to put it there on the edge where only he's going to get it. And half the time you're hitting a water bowl in the shoulder with the throw. I don't know that there's anything mechanical going on. I just think it's usually a late, can't hurt, could help rather than tucking and sliding for two yards.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay, so it's more reactionary than it is mechanic issue or an accuracy issue. It's just more reactionary to that given situation.

[Dan Bernstein]

I would say. I just say reactionary.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just keep an eye on it, maybe make more notes to it. And just to keep that in mind because maybe again, maybe I'm just seeing something that's. That's not there and is really just a byproduct of him trying to make something out of nothing.

[Dan Bernstein]

If it were a planned rollout, that would be different.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, it's.

[Dan Bernstein]

If that just happens to be his escape lane, I'm not going to worry about as much, but I do.

[Matt Abaticola]

But it should be a strength though for him rolling right. And like, I'm not going to criticize him going left and throwing, that's. That's hard for anyone but going right.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't want him going left and.

[Matt Abaticola]

Throwing regardless of the situation, if he's forced out or not, he should still be a little more accurate rolling that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Way on the run, he should be more accurate overall. Well, yes, that's. I, Maybe that's a function of just accuracy. Issues. And then we get back to wondering, is that something that improves, is that something that can get better? I want to see the communication improve on some of those short throws against zone or man, whether it's Zacchaeus or whether it is a tight end. Understand either keep your feet moving or stop. If it's zone and you're looking at an option route. A lot of stuff that the Chiefs run are when, when they're rolling are these option routes where your tight end, whoever your intended receiver is, is going to have a choice, know what defense they're in. If it's a zone, stop. If it's man and you have an angle, keep running. You're going to have a chance there. You're going to be able to have a better coordination between the quarterback and the pass catcher to know where the next guy is.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, like we saw that with Loveland on that third and five when he made the six yard reception, caught it and then laid down and cradled his baby like yeah, he did the right thing.

[Dan Bernstein]

He stopped.

[Matt Abaticola]

Maybe you can get a couple more, maybe a yard or two more if.

[Dan Bernstein]

You use your feet.

[Matt Abaticola]

But he was more concerned with controlling that ball and then keeping it the possession and just drop down.

[Dan Bernstein]

Especially because the Ben Johnson offense in large part when he talks about explosive plays and it took them a while to get one in that game. Yeah, I think their first 20 yard play was what end of the third quarter and that's I the thumb. You know, just the easy way of the rule of Thumb is anything 20 or more is considered an explosive play. Yeah. And when you watch what the Lions have done, it has been a lot of these long developing in routes, dragging a tight end across the formation and back that it does take some protection and or some dancing around for the quarterback to build that time. But those explosives come in running away once you have it. Just like DeAndre Swift did on a play that they were close to not getting off in time. It's the one that famously the evil Troy Aikman said that an aspect of it was luck. Oh, evil, evil, evil.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know, we have, we have some sound from Ben Johnson when he met with the media and this first one here, I want to play for you is just some opening comments and then he's asked about DJ Moore and an injury update.

[Ben Johnson]

No, Sewell didn't finish the game with a concussion. So we'll be following him throughout the week here to see when we can get him back. And then as you guys heard, DJ didn't make it back on the plane. With us. He stayed for precautionary reasons at the hospital. Good news is that he's back in Chicago now and we'll take him day by day. But we did get good news there from that visit. And that was a groin injury in regards to the game was just piggyback, really. On the thoughts from last night, I thought the. Thought the guys played really hard. Proud of the coaches, proud of the players. Find a way to win there. That's two weeks in a row that game comes down to the wire and find a way to come out on top. So it was a true team win. All three phases came through in clutch moments when we needed it. The three takeaways was a huge deal for us. I think the offense was able to translate that into 13 points, which we definitely needed. You know, I thought over the course there, that second half, there was. There was a little bit of up and down, you know, with the way that game was going, we hit some adversity. And yet that play by. By Swifty, the 55 yard touchdown, that was really the spark that. That we needed to reignite us, really, the whole team. And you kind of felt the defense come back to life again and we're able to come through at the end. So the belief is there. And that was really good to see.

[Dan Bernstein]

Ben, can you offer any insight into why a groin injury made it hard to fly last night?

[Ben Johnson]

Yeah, that's a little bit more of a personal story there.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was it. Yeah. And he had a. He had a smile on his face. If you saw the video, you can watch the video of him responding to that question. So I don't know what's going on. A little more of a personal story there.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know. Maybe his penis fell off.

[Matt Abaticola]

He got hit so hard in the midsection, his pee pee fell off.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know what they're okay again. It sounds like it could be now I'm just morbidly interested in a way that I wasn't before.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, you're always interested about penises. I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's really a personal situation. I kept waiting for, like, o other details. It also involves tapioca pudding.

[Matt Abaticola]

What? There was a cat, a broom, and some tapioca pudding. And we decided to keep in Washington.

[Dan Bernstein]

We can't get into that.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know, I'm sorry, that's a personal story.

[Dan Bernstein]

And a tiki torch. What? Did I say that.

[Matt Abaticola]

What?

[Dan Bernstein]

Come on, man.

[Matt Abaticola]

Ben was asked about his. His relationship in the growing relationship with Caleb Williams.

[Ben Johnson]

He and I, we just Got done meeting a minute ago. Um, got done meeting a minute ago. I think. I think what you're noticing is the more time that we're spending together, the, the more that we're getting on the same age of why we like things, why we're calling it, what we're looking for. And I think it's going to help him to play. Play faster and, and when you're playing fast normally, everything will slow down for you and you're going to be in good shape. And so we're still working through that. There's a number of plays there from last night that I think we're really going to get better from. We're banking reps as we go. We're not making the same. And I think he's getting this broader understanding for maybe some things that we don't talk about that particular week, but yet if we hit them on another week, they do carry over. And so we're just continuing to get more and more knowledge as we go. And so I think that's really key for that relationship. I thought last night, I thought he did a great job handling the pressure of that particular game. There are a lot of things that were going into it with the hostile environment, with him being back at home, with, with the weather. I mean, you threw a number of things at us and. And yet he was still able to stay composed as you, as you talked about, you know, it's. It's an emotional game. It's a. It's a game where the momentum kind of fluctuates back and forth, and yet we're doing our best to stay steady throughout. And so, you know, it's. It's a constant battle when you. When it's going on for 60 minutes like that. But I think he is getting better in that regard.

[Dan Bernstein]

Which plays is he talking about? He said there were several plays because of which were going to get better. Which plays?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. That's a good follow up.

[Dan Bernstein]

I wonder if they were successful plays or unsuccessful plays.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, you always learn more from a failure, Dan, than you do a success.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's a great rule of thumb, but I'd like to know what he thinks. And we're also learning a critical coaching point from Ben Johnson because he keeps saying this and we also have heard him say it in the locker room about keeping emotionally level, about not being too high and not being too low, because I think he understands. We keep talking about the league and the blob and how weird all these games are and how no matter what, everything seems to come down to one score. In the Bears case, down to one point. And all sorts of bizarre things happen in games to the point where we almost can't call it bizarre anymore. It's.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's the way the nature of the NFL.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's the nature of the NFL. It is, it is part and parcel of being in the NFL football business now is that there are a ton of things beyond your control. There are wild emotional swings in a game now I'll handle that. I'm great at wild emotional swings during a game. That's my job. But what Johnson keeps telling his team is to stay level. Whether you're up or whether you're down. Execute, execute, execute, and it comes down. I think it's the same reason why you can talk about the Lions mentality of never stop scoring points. There's never a safe time. Rarely do you see the dogs called off like they were against the Bears because they're always pushing, pushing, pushing, always execute what we do in the same way, the same intensity all the time. And that is how you build resiliency. That gets back to body language. When he talked about palms up. Well, I guess this isn't our day. I guess some of you know and talks about losing habits and the body language of a losing team and he complimented them on Monday night for always staying in it, always being ready. And that's a good sign if he now can coach off of success. And you saw him compliment that. He reinforced that. He said you didn't get too down. You were always strive to be in the middle all the time emotionally.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And we saw and I know this is easier to do after, after a couple wins, close wins, albeit on the road, but still still wins for the Bears that remember early in the year it was, well, you know, when it rains it pours and things happen and sometimes it's out of your control. Now I obviously I get two wins. You're not going to have that type of perspective. But those haven't been two perfect games where he could look at his team and say that was two really clean games on all three aspects of football. But he hasn't done that either. He hasn't looked at the things that have gone wrong and you know, well, those things just happen and when it rains, it pours. And because there were opportunities in that Washington game where they did stack mistakes on top mistakes a couple times and he hasn't gone, he hasn't gotten into that himself as the head coach. He was also asked about a play that I led the full meatball Charge on Monday night. He was asked about it and he addressed it.

[Ben Johnson]

The officials, they warn you earlier in the game whether someone is toeing the line in that regard. And so we did get a warning and clearly they thought that he was a little too far back on that one.

[Matt Abaticola]

So that's of course, the Theo play. They got a warning. He didn't abide by the warning and got called for the flag. That was third and six formation on the touchdown.

[Dan Bernstein]

The room, third and six on the 11 yard line. It was illegal formation on Theo Benedict. And it was speculated during the broadcast that, hey, sometimes they do warn you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Sometimes they're saying Aikman said that, that evil, evil doer, Troy Aikman. He even said that, hey, sometimes you do get a warning from the officials.

[Dan Bernstein]

All right, so we can take that off the board. I can remove my little, my multitude of question marks there. He was warned.

[Matt Abaticola]

He was warned about it.

[Commercial Narrator]

That's it.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's over. If they say, hey, I know you haven't played a lot of NFL left tackle, young man, and I can say this in Canadian if you want me to, but you got to move up a little bit.

[Matt Abaticola]

So he was warned, didn't do it. They throw the flag and it cost a touchdown. So you're lucky.

[Dan Bernstein]

He was warned.

[Matt Abaticola]

All the, the anger about it. And so I led the meatball charge against the officials. I take that all back. He was warned and still didn't do it. Then he was asked a question about the very important fourth and one play as well, too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Also wanted to ask you about the. The fourth and one in the first half, the play that you had dialed up. What were you hoping there for? Obvious gave up a field goal opportunity, had a short yardage situation and then weren't able to convert in that situation.

[Ben Johnson]

Yeah, we felt good about that play call there and in hindsight still do. You know, that's one of the things we can learn from as an entire offense. But not afraid to be aggressive in that situation. They came down and they were playing a version of, you could call it Cover 0 with all their safety is down low like that. And we were looking to capitalize on it and we just didn't come through on it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I got an answer to my question.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

He said that's one of the plays from which they can learn.

[Matt Abaticola]

There you go.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I'm very interested to know who's learning what. Sounds like that might be a Caleb thing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I think so.

[Dan Bernstein]

I think that was a nice use of we. And I guess I had called that play on fourth and one in the second quarter, I called it too cute. I thought throwing into a congested area was unnecessary, but maybe the area was congested because the timing wasn't right.

[Matt Abaticola]

Possibly.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's what I'm thinking. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

And we've learned that from. From Ben over the last five games now that he does speak a lot in regard of protecting his quarterback. And that's great, right? That's great. He was also asked about the play of the tackles in this game against Washington.

[Ben Johnson]

I think both of them played really well from start to finish. I think our run game as a whole, and not just the tackles, but the entire unit, that's. That's the best that we've played collectively as a group. And I think we gave those runners some daylight and they were able to hit the holes. And that's why we were so efficient running the ball. It's the most efficient we've been throughout, I think. I think I had us around like 69% efficient, which was really high for us and obviously had the high yards per carry is over five yards per carry, so that was good to see. And the tackles played a huge role in that. Like I've said before, Theo, I mean, you wouldn't. He doesn't bat an eye. You know, it's like nothing's too big for him. And I think that about a lot of guys on this team, they're very clutch where the. Where the pressure and the. And the, you know, for a lot of players, you know, can get to you. It doesn't get to them. And they're kind of built for these type of moments. And so he's in that mold. Darnell was good to have him back. He really didn't miss a beat. You feel his presence. Not only can he displace people in the running game, but you see what he's capable of out in space as well, whether it's a screen or whether it's one of the. The toss crack series plays that we had up. So very, very grateful to have him back.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, they played great. I mean, it was. It was unbelievable. Darnell Wright was spectacular in that game and getting to the second level and taking on sometimes two blocks on those really successful run plays for DeAndre Swift.

[Dan Bernstein]

He was.

[Matt Abaticola]

He was fantastic.

[Dan Bernstein]

And now, as the Saints are seeing that, I hope that you're going to show the equal and opposite pass plays that can come from the success there and come from their coaching up. Hey, look, they're going to try to leverage you. They're going to try to get on the wrong side. Some of these seal blocks that you can get in outside zone where you're giving the running back an ability to almost use a blocker passively to almost just because if you're setting up the angle and you're sort of counting the steps, it's not DeAndre Swift greatest skill but if he's getting a little better at reading and reacting, boy, that's going to open up the pass game.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And some programming notes for you. We have our top 10 saints which will air on Dan Bernstein unfiltered this Friday. Our forward progress on Friday we'll take a deeper look into the matchup between the Saints and the Bears. And then Sunday following the noon game there will be a Ford Progress live post game show like we do after every Bears game. Last question for Ben Johnson. He was asked about Cairo. Santos doesn't really give a whole insight to the kicking matchup or the kicking game. Where it goes just specifically right now about about Cairo.

[Ben Johnson]

I haven't heard. We haven't had our meeting tonight yet just on on the state of the union here with all of our players and their injuries. But I'll be curious to see how he's doing at this point. But he we got a lot of faith and confidence in him so whenever we can get him back, we're going to be in good shape.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, it's not a full throat. It's not commitment is.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not at all.

[Dan Bernstein]

It certainly stops showing everyone get him back.

[Matt Abaticola]

Great. We can.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

We're confident in. You're also pretty confident Moody too apparently.

[Dan Bernstein]

So if you want a terrific party for the fall, for the winter, for any time, here's something a little different for you. And delicious. You're gonna go to the beer church and you're gonna enjoy the pizza making experience. I have done this and it's an absolute blast. Beer church brewing in New Buffalo. You know, it's just a quick jump from Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana. You're right there. And at their pizza making school private party, you and your whole group, it could be an enormous group of people. They can handle 300 plus if you want to talk your boss into doing a holiday party there. Or it could just be your fantasy football guys, whatever it might be at the pizza making school private party you're going to get hands on in the wood fire kitchen because you're going to learn all about stretching the dough. I tried to toss it. That didn't go well for me. But you can. They'll show you. If you want they can show you how to do it, how to spin it and about why you're doing that and what you're trying to stretch out. They're going to talk about all those. I learned all the science and the chemistry of making a good pizza. And then you top it with all the legendary ingredients and you dig in. You can eat every single pizz on the menu until you tell them stop bringing pizza. And it will take a while because they're so good and they do not take long to cook because that wood fired oven is so hot. And what do you mean it's ready already? Like, oh no, that's all it takes. And you get that little sort of charred blistering on the edge of the crust and the fresh mozzarella is just soft. Maybe the basil's curling a tiny little bit. Oh man, it's so good. And you can pair your pizza with the small batch brews that you won't find anywhere else than at Beer Ch. Two hours, lunch or dinner. Private exclusive. So go to beerchurchbrewing.com and make sure you can get scheduled again. Talk to your people at work or whatever your organization is. It is a great place to do something different and memorable. And the outside deck that they have, the heated deck and the flat screen TV's fantastic place to watch games and enjoy the pizza and enjoy everything else on the menu. Or I should say the hymnal because they really, they lean in to the whole church aspect. It's a blast. The food is great. A wonderful time at Beerchurch brewing. Go to beerchurchbrewing.com it's beerchurchbrewing.com for wood fired Neapolitan pizza. Small batch craft beer. It's a great place for kids. Also make a trip there. Have your party there. They're friends, obviously friends of the program here and it's, it's terrific. I can't recommend it highly enough. Like I say, I've been there. They taught me to make pizza. I learned a lot and I ate a lot. So you do the same.

[Matt Abaticola]

You know, I want to congratulate the Bears because they, I don't know if you, if you looked at the numbers here NFL wide, the Bears are no longer 32nd in defense yards per carry. They got jumped by the Buffalo Bills. And remember because it was a pretty wide gap, they were at 6.2.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's a big deal.

[Matt Abaticola]

It is a big deal. So they've dropped down to 5.7 yards per carry. That's significant. To drop from 6, 2 to 5, 7. That is the Bills right now leading the NFL a worst 5.8 yards per carry. The Bears at 5.7, the Dolphins at 5.6, the Giants at 5 1, the Chargers at 5. And then you start getting into the fours.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, we're looking at numbers here. Snap counts. Kevin Fishbane always puts these up, so I check his Twitter feed for this. The Bears on offense had 100% participation all 64 snaps for Dahlman Jackson, Benedict Tuney, Caleb Williams and Darnell Wright. Roma Dunze was in for all but two snaps at 97%. DJ Moore 94%. And then Olamide Zacchaeus at 84% starts to drop off. Believe it or not, DeAndre Swift just 56% or excuse me, 36 total snaps. 56%. And was that had is very efficient. Probably best game as a Bear.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Cole Comet was out there about half the time. 52% more blocking than being involved carrying the football or catching the football. Colston Loveland at 42%. Kyle Manungai, the number jumped up to 34%. Luther Burden only 15 snaps at 23%. Durham Smythe at 12. And Roshan Johnson was in for three plays. We saw him get a carry. He's easy to see because he wears the guardian cap and he's at 5%. I do think that if in fact they're figuring out their run game with this remodeled offensive line that we're going to have to see more of somebody else to give them to give some ability for Swift and not carry all of the burden. And I'm not sure if Manungai fits the zone cutback stuff and maybe he is more effective in gap scheme because there was some duo and some ISO in there as well. They. They don't have any great choices, but I don't think this regime likes Roshan Johnson quite as much as the previous one did. What?

[Matt Abaticola]

How many. How many snaps did Manungai get in on?

[Dan Bernstein]

Manungai was on 22 of the 64 for 34%.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, so 22 snaps, five attempts and you said Swift was 36 snaps.

[Dan Bernstein]

Swift was 36 snaps. Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

And 14 attempts.

[Ben Johnson]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay, so it is telling teams when Swift is in the game, he's very likely to touch the football.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

On defense, 100% for Brisker, Edwards, Stevenson, Edmonds, Wright and Bayard. We saw a lot more rotation along the defensive line. Diodangbo, 75%, Sweat 74, Dexter 68, Billings and Gordon 60. Shamar Turner, we saw that name early when he missed the tackle, was visibly mad at himself. He was there for 22 snaps or 34%. Chris Williams, 32%. Dominique Robinson made a play.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yep.

[Dan Bernstein]

He was at 29. Jonathan Ford, the best play that he made. Biggest hit he made was knocking out his own teammate. Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Best hit of the game.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's a. It's a big man coming in to clobber a teammate. Thanks for that. We also had the reserve linebackers. Let's see, Jackson had 20%. McLeod was only in there for five plays. Jonathan Owens was out there for three plays. So we are seeing more rotation on the defensive line, trying to keep people sharp.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And we need Nishan Wright to stop committing penalties.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Like what? What are the other options?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, not just committing penalties, but also jumping a wide receiver screen.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was. Oh, yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was definitely him. Went back and watched that and that led to McCaffrey being wide wide open, which I still think I could have scored on that plan. You don't think I could, but I know I could have. No. I could have scored on that play.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, you would have been chased down and you would have been injured. That's not true. That's what would have happened.

[Matt Abaticola]

I would have fallen down and cried before they hit me.

[Dan Bernstein]

So. Okay, well.

[Matt Abaticola]

But I would have done the Colson Loveland.

[Dan Bernstein]

I still have the ball. You can't take it for me. I'm giving myself up. I'm down, damn it. Here's to Loveland getting more opportunities to matter more than that. Stop waiting around. Well, at least while he's healthy.

[Matt Abaticola]

Use him.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's going to be hurt again soon.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

So use him while he's healthy. I was going to look, too, at what I'm curious about for Sunday.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that is the latest weather forecast.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. Yeah, I saw you. I wrote it on the talking weather and you were talking to yourself about the weather.

[Dan Bernstein]

I do that. That's what old people do. Sunday the 19th. Rain and wind are the first two words in the forecast. 57 degrees with a low of 44. Says windy with occasional rain in the morning. A few showers late. They just upgraded the wind, too.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Up to 30 mile an hour. Winds out of the northwest.

[Matt Abaticola]

And so these weather implications are taking your brain in what direction for the Bears.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe some more importance in the run game because usually wind is the limiting factor on passing, not rain or snow.

[Matt Abaticola]

What about the kicking game?

[Dan Bernstein]

The kicking game. Yikes. Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

If you. They have. They're confident in Santos and they want to get him back. And they'll get him back when they get him back. Moody, inconsistent, better Leg longer distance, but inconsistent, which is why he's available and on the Bears roster. So where does that come into play for you?

[Dan Bernstein]

I think it comes into play.

[Matt Abaticola]

And how much does that impact Ben Johnson, what he calls?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, I think you're going to have to be prepared. He gets updates every couple hours. We get updates more than I do from the people who are monitoring the weather. Because it does matter. Tony Medlin going to have the longer cleats ready, too.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

TeamID coat drive.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do the Bears take opportunity during the week when they're at home to kick at Soldier Field?

[Dan Bernstein]

They did. Remember the whole Cody Parky thing when we had helicopters circling? Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Literally do that. A guy like. Like Moody.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't think Kyra Santos much.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, he hasn't kicked much, but if.

[Dan Bernstein]

He'S your guy, you're gonna go stake out. So we could actually do.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't want to know. I'm not interested in.

[Dan Bernstein]

We could do it from Keith's office. Oh, we just hang out. We just set up shop in Keith's office up here and look out to the Prudential building and see if we see Jake Moody there kicking.

[Matt Abaticola]

I always catch him looking out the windows at people at the Bean. He's always watching the Bean activity.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, it's right there. Yeah, I like walking by the Bean. See where I can see my reflection behind the people taking selfies?

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't. I avoid that area. It's too dangerous.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I know. It's so dangerous. I know. You never know when a random pack of thugs is going to jump you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, you know, one out of every 22 people in the city of Chicago is in a gang.

[Dan Bernstein]

Is that right?

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

I did not read that. Well, I'm not in a gang. Am I in a gang?

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, we're one of the 21.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

So it's one in 22 are gang members.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay. I just want to make sure. Like, I'm.

[Matt Abaticola]

And they mostly hang out by the Bean, which is why I don't go, which is why Keith monitors it all the time.

[Dan Bernstein]

What I'm worried about is now I'm going to get an anxiety dream. But instead of the college dream that I get once a month where it's finals and I haven't done the reading or I looked at my schedule and there was a class I didn't know I had, I still get that actual literal dream either high school or college at least once a month.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do you really?

[Ben Johnson]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Now I'm gonna get the anxiety dream of. I didn't know, I was in a gang and I was supposed to do a drive by and I didn't. I was supposed to go by.

[Matt Abaticola]

And you missed your initiation meeting.

[Dan Bernstein]

I was supposed to go collect protection money from some front for a gambling.

[Matt Abaticola]

You overslept and I overdo your job.

[Dan Bernstein]

I didn't make it. And now I'm in trouble and I've got to go in to talk to Drexel, the killer pimp, and he's mad at me or something.

[Matt Abaticola]

What do you think your role would be in a gang? Well, I think you'd be a driver.

[Dan Bernstein]

Based on what my role has been when I have had a leadership function and, like, charity boards and stuff, it's been. I'm very good at worrying about things, and it's valuable to organizations. I'm very good at. Do we have legal exposure? Could this get us in trouble?

[Matt Abaticola]

Is this. That'd be everything. They wouldn't really need you very much.

[Dan Bernstein]

But see, that's the thing. A gang doesn't need somebody with my unique set of skills when it comes to worrying about things because.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, you're good at making lists.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

And driving.

[Dan Bernstein]

I am good at driving.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm good at fishing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Maybe. Oh, oh. Planning the company outing and retreats.

[Dan Bernstein]

That'd be my wife.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, no, but she can plan that. And you can do it around fishing.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, here's the problem, and this is actually true. We are getting close to salmon snagging season.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh.

[Dan Bernstein]

Chicago is one of the. I'm dead serious. Okay, Chicago it. What? You're doing it again.

[Matt Abaticola]

I didn't do it.

[Dan Bernstein]

You're like, okay, yes, I'll be serious and you're not serious.

[Matt Abaticola]

I am being serious. I want to hear about salmon.

[Dan Bernstein]

Shirley.

[Matt Abaticola]

Snagging season.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, there's. And. And there's a group in which I'm involved called cast, the Chicago Anti snagging team. Chicago is one of the last cities that allows salmon snagging.

[Matt Abaticola]

Okay. What is snagging?

[Dan Bernstein]

It's literally not fishing. It's throwing out a grappling hook and yanking the hook through the water and snagging the fish through their bodies.

[Matt Abaticola]

And there's that many of them that.

[Dan Bernstein]

That works after spawning season because they come in to die and usually in the river mouths and stuff. And it was. I don't know why we still allow it to happen because it messes up the ecosystem. And it's been taken over by gangs that in large part actual. Actual gangs of people. If you are at a place and you see people doing it and you Say something. They'll slash your tires. They'll show you a weapon. There are people who are illegally harvesting all the salmon, and I hope there isn't a black market selling it to places that are buying it on the cheap.

[Matt Abaticola]

So gangs are taking this activity over. Okay, that's interesting.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Like running numbers. Drugs, prostitution, salmon snagging.

[Dan Bernstein]

Look, they got to diversify their businesses. I'm not kidding. That there was interesting. The more I learned about it and the more I learned about what nefarious forces were involved in this. It was considered just a way for people to use the salmon that were going to die anyway to find a little bit extra food and freeze it over the winter. And of course, we can't have things like that. And it's also easier to catch them than it is to snag them them, because you can still. Even in the winter, there are. There are ways that you can catch salmon and trout in this lake, and people just have to learn that.

[Matt Abaticola]

But if it's. If it's a. It's illegal, you know, it's not illegal. Oh, it is legal. Okay. If you say that'd be pretty easy to spot somebody snagging salmon.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, but now they're. They'll drive a truck up there, they'll throw out all these massive grappling hooks. They'll. They'll work over an area, they'll leave all sorts of blood and guts everywhere, and. And they'll scream out of there. And unfortunately, because of funding cuts, there aren't enough conservation cops to enforce any of the actual rules.

[Matt Abaticola]

And these are dangerous gang members carrying out this activity?

[Dan Bernstein]

Not all.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not all, but some are.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

So instead of maybe going into, like, legal businesses and pulling people out of kitchens and stuff, maybe ice could go there.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't think it's a big enough problem for the federal government, but hey.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if you're.

[Dan Bernstein]

Pulling aside the ice cream vendors and the people selling vendors mangoes and melons. Yes. Then it. I don't know.

[Matt Abaticola]

Salmon snagging.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, well, you put that on my radar now.

[Dan Bernstein]

It actually is a big deal, I'm telling you.

[Matt Abaticola]

So I'm going to avoid the bean, and I'm going to avoid salmon. Snag the bean.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's dangerous, but it could. This could be a wacky weather game. So definitely be aware for the. You know, that depending on what they're prepping for, that might not be sort of a. Like a dainty precision passing early afternoon.

[Matt Abaticola]

All right, well, we'll Keep that in mind. Remember, if you haven't subscribed so far yet to Ford Progress, do so on our YouTube channel. Also subscribe to Dan Bernstein unfiltered. You can also subscribe where you get your podcast. Listen to owc. It's organizations win championships. It's the Bulls podcast. It's back. First episode dropped yesterday with Dan and his son Jason. It was a very entertaining show. It wasn't Jason. It was Ball Sack Biombo.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yesterday, he was Ball Sack Brianbo.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was. That was my first endeavor into owc.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

And it's. It's something. Man, are you two. You two together. It's something. So it's funny because the Bulls information and basketball knowledge is all there, and it's packaged not with one Bernstein, but with two Bernsteins.

[Dan Bernstein]

So it's very Bernstein.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's very, very, very Bernstein. Stevie is right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

We got to see Jason's roommate as well. That was. That was a nice. Popped his head over and said hello before he showered and did other things.

[Dan Bernstein]

But at least Jason's got his own room this year, because last year the roommate would occasionally come in.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, that wasn't. He was. Oh, they're not. They don't share a room. He just.

[Dan Bernstein]

They share a bathroom. It's like a suite.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, that's right. You did mention that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. One room's on one side of bed, the other's on the other side.

[Matt Abaticola]

What is that called? A Jack and a Jill? I don't know what they call Jack and Jill rooms. Is that what that's called?

[Ben Johnson]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

All I know is that they can lock the other guy out from the other. From. If you want to keep the guy out of your room, you can lock the other bathroom door. And they had a dead lizard, so.

[Matt Abaticola]

They can't get into their own bathroom.

[Dan Bernstein]

They just can't get in the other way. I would always have that one. They had a. There was a dead lizard. Because, you know, in New Orleans, there's all those lizards that, you know, that are everywhere. Yeah. And so his roommate's very sort of squeamish and wouldn't touch it. Wouldn't do anything. Just. What. It's no big deal. And he was chasing him around with it, and he. And he was kind of like dangling it in his face while he was lying there and try to get him, like, wake up and have it on his, you know, as one should do. Yes, I think it's appropriate.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then he got mad at him and locked him out.

[Matt Abaticola]

I will make sure you subscribe to all the podcast. 312Sports. 312Sports, all the information you need right there. But make sure you subscribe.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, people are so mad at me about DBU already.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, about the. Oh, are they really?

[Dan Bernstein]

And proving my point, Aikman such. He's so biased. Not biased. He's so biased. Yes. Okay.

[Matt Abaticola]

Walks on an angle.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's Len Bias. I mean, come on, man. All right, hey, well, my point, dumbass.

[Matt Abaticola]

We'll talk to you tomorrow. DBU forward progress. Remember Saints top 10 all time list is Friday during DBU with Friday feedback. It's Thursday tomorrow, so we'll talk to.

[Dan Bernstein]

You tomorrow on Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast.

[Matt Abaticola]

Is that it? You got anything else to say? Are we done?

[Dan Bernstein]

I think we're done.

[Matt Abaticola]

Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast with Dan Bernstein and Matt Abaticola on 312 Sports.