Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Breaking Down the Bears’ Playoff Loss to the Rams, Wild Stats, and NFL Coaching Carousel
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abaticola
Date: January 20, 2026

Overview

This episode dives into the Chicago Bears’ heart-wrenching overtime playoff loss to the LA Rams, unpacking the game’s key moments, wild statistical anomalies, and the emotional rollercoaster of the 2025-26 season. Dan and Matt apply their trademark analytical eye and fan’s heart to discuss how the offense and defense performed under pressure, what went wrong on the game’s defining plays, and what’s next for the Bears under Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. The conversation also veers into wild NFL coaching news and some signature banter on fandom exhaustion and NFL jobs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reflecting on a Transformative Bears Season

• Newfound Faith in the Offense:
  Matt marvels at trusting the Bears offense for the first time ever – a historic change given the franchise’s defensive legacy.

  "For the first time in my life, we have an offense that we can count on… It’s always been the defense." (01:59, Matt)

• The Caleb Williams Effect:
  Caleb’s dynamism and leadership brought the Bears into uncharted territory for their fan base, especially with signature plays like the wild, cross-field throw to Cole Kmet.

  "The dramatic fashion in which they did it behind Caleb Williams’ leadership… was just icing on the cake." (02:09, Matt)

• Offense Let Down at Crucial Moment:
  Both hosts note the irony that in the biggest moment, it was the offense—not the defense—that faltered.

  "The defense isn't what let you down." (02:56, Dan)

Recapping the Rams Loss – Insane Stats and Missed Chances

• Techmo Bowl Play Come to Life:
  The podcast describes a viral highlight where Caleb Williams made a throw reminiscent of the old Techmo Bowl video game, sparking fan nostalgia and excitement.

  "It’s quarterback runs backwards as far as you can in Techmo Bowl and you just throw it… It was really cool just to see that." (03:35, Matt)

• Season-to-Season Momentum is a Myth:
  Both hosts caution against expecting “momentum,” emphasizing instead the importance of roster continuity and experience—particularly for Williams and Ben Johnson.

  "Momentum is tomorrow's starting pitcher." (04:34, Dan)

Emotional Impact and Fan Exhaustion

• Processing the Season:
  Both are still emotionally spent, describing the season as having “multiple seasons worth of moments in one.”

  "That was as emotionally exhilarating and exhausting as a season as has ever been in my... life." (11:57, Matt)
  "Multiple seasons worth of moments." (12:30, Dan)

• Postgame Analysis as Therapy:
  The intensity sometimes made it hard to communicate after games—leading to raw, emotional postgame shows.

  "Sometimes it was difficult to be able to communicate clearly in our post game shows… either a lot of anger or just like emotional exhaustion." (12:50, Matt)

Bears-Rams: Gut-Punch Historical Stats

• Playoff Overtime Curse:
  Teams scoring a game-tying TD in the last 30 seconds of regulation to force OT are now 0-4 in those games—including the Bears in this one.

  "All four teams, they force overtime scoring in the final 30 seconds and then they end up losing." (08:01, Matt)

• Stafford’s Unprecedented Win:
  Matthew Stafford became the first NFL QB in history to win a playoff road game with <50% completions and 0 TDs—previously teams were 0-99-1 with that stat line.

  "That Matthew Stafford is the first quarterback in NFL playoff history to win a road game… less than half of his passes and not throwing any touchdowns." (09:19, Matt)

• Point Differential and Not Playing With a Lead:
  The Bears didn’t have a single offensive snap with a lead in their last five games (!) but somehow finished those games with a net zero point differential.

  "Their point differential? Nada." (11:25, Dan)

Breaking Down the Final Interception (with DJ Moore Audio)

• Miscommunication at Crucial Moment:
  A deep dive into the game-sealing interception uncovers that QB Caleb Williams and WR DJ Moore weren't on the same page, with Moore failing to flatten his route as expected.

  “Just a miscommunication...tried to flatten him off under safety...didn’t happen that way.” (18:52, DJ Moore audio)

• Frustration with Veteran Receivers:
  The hosts are baffled that such miscommunication could happen so late in the season with experienced players.

  "Why… are you not on the same page on a route that you run all season long?" (22:29, Matt)

• Effort Questioned on the Play:
  Both take issue with Moore's lack of effort to attack the ball as the play unfolded, feeling the season slipped away unnecessarily.

  "Why were you not running? Why were you not trying for the ball, made zero effort, literally slowed up and watched the play happen, watch the season come to a close?" (22:29, Matt)

Individual Performances & Looking to Next Season

• Rome Odunze Underwhelms:
  Injury and inconsistent play lead to a disappointing season for the top pick, who finished with only 44 catches and six touchdowns.

  "Rome knows it wasn't the season that he wanted to or needed to have." (24:30, Matt)

• Room for Growth:
  Both note that the offense’s productivity, even with Odunze underperforming, is a positive for future upside.

  "The fact that there is that much room for growth, that the offense was this good with somebody as talented as Rome Adunze...not playing as well as he wanted." (26:34, Dan)

• Loveland as Emerging Target:
  Rookie TE Colston Loveland is singled out for stepping up as a reliable option.

  "Colston Loveland, I think developed...right now is as far as a target that you can depend on..." (27:47, Dan)

Hall of Fame Coaching Carousel

• NFL Coaching Openings – Who Wants What?
  The hosts rattle off open jobs (Steelers, Browns, Bills, Cardinals, Ravens, Raiders) and debate their desirability, often with comic cynicism about certain franchises (Jets, Cardinals, Raiders).

  "If Mike McCarthy is on your list for any of them, what the fuck are you doing?" (36:28, Dan)

• Ben Johnson Defended:
  Both push back at Bears fans calling to fire Ben Johnson after the playoff loss, urging patience and perspective.

  "If you're done with Ben Johnson, then just go away. Seriously, go away..." (06:39, Matt)

• Turnover is Inevitable:
  As the Bears improve, coaches get poached (e.g., Eric Bieniemy to KC), which is depicted as both a challenge and a mark of success.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Fan Exhaustion

  "I'll be honest with you, dude. I just, like, I totally get that this week… I'm just like, I need a breather." (11:57, Matt)
  "It's not a bad feeling of exhaustion, but it is mentally draining to be a fan of this team." (12:38, Dan)

• Stafford Stat Gut Punch

  "Now that stat is 1-99-1." (14:21, Matt)
  "Damn it… Now you're making it worse." (14:28, Dan, in disbelief over the historical stat)

• Matt’s Early 2026 Prediction

  "13 and 4, my friends. Chicago Bears, 13 and 4." (16:32, Matt – tongue-in-cheek, hopeful prediction for next season)

• Questioning NFL Hiring trends

  "What does [John Harbaugh] do?… It means that his hires are as important as his own hire." (30:02, Dan)

• On Losing Coaches as Teams Succeed

  "When as the offense gets good, you're going to start losing coaches." (28:27, Dan)

Important Timestamps

• Processing a wild Bears season: 00:52 – 02:56
• Bears offense and Techmo Bowl throw: 03:02 – 03:35
• Momentum myth and Ben Johnson excitement: 04:34 – 06:12
• Bears-Rams Irony and stats recap: 06:36 – 09:32
• Point differential and exhaustion: 10:08 – 12:38
• Endgame miscommunication (DJ Moore audio): 17:47 – 21:51
• Rome Odunze’s struggles and Loveland’s upside: 24:08 – 28:01
• NFL coaching carousel and job talk: 28:27 – 45:00
• Classic podcast banter (sidetracks on names, trivia, etc.): 45:00 – end

Tone & Style

The episode is high-energy and emotionally raw, blending deep football analysis with the hosts’ unique Chicago humor, sarcasm, and a clear sense of football lifer exhaustion and hope.

Summary Takeaway

While the Bears’ playoff run ended in heartbreak—laden with wild statistical footnotes and a sense of “what could have been”—both Dan and Matt leave fans feeling optimistic about the foundational changes under Williams and Johnson. They’re eager for what comes next, but they don’t shy away from heartbreak, hard truths, or the realities of NFL’s brutal, ever-spinning coaching carousel.

For diehards and newer fans alike, this episode is a quintessential ride through the highs and lows of being a Bears fan in 2026, packed with laughter, groans, data, and dreams of future Sundays.