Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: Chicago Bears on top of an unstable NFC mountain
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode finds the Bears perched atop the unpredictable NFC, holding a 9-3 record as they prepare for a critical clash against Green Bay. Dan and Matt deliver their trademark blend of passionate Bears analysis and unsparing humor—diving into playoff scenarios, the evolution (and fragility) of Chicago's success under head coach Ben Johnson, the development of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and where the Bears stand in a bunched playoff picture. The episode is peppered with nostalgia, insightful film breakdowns, and classic fan banter, making it a must-listen for any Bears devotee or NFL junkie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears at the Peak—But the Mountain Is Shaky

Timestamp: 05:13

• NFC Landscape Analysis:
  Dan and Matt parse the “fragile” state of the NFC playoff race. The Bears, current first seed, could theoretically drop to seventh in just one weekend if a certain combination of teams win/lose.

  • The Bears remaining schedule: Green Bay (twice), Cleveland, 49ers, Detroit ([05:46])
  • “If the Bears lose, the packers win, Rams win, Seahawks win, the Bears go from the one seed to the seven seed in just this weekend.” — Matt ([07:15])
  • The playoff standings are incredibly tight with multiple 9-3 teams.

• Tiebreaker Chat:

  • The Bears hold a key tiebreaker over the Rams due to conference record, but lots can change with five NFC games remaining ([07:59]-[09:07]).
  • Discussion of remaining opponent strengths for both teams.

• Perspective:
  Dan and Matt repeatedly stress how volatile the Bears’ position is, cautioning fans to enjoy the moment but recognize the slim margin for error.

2. Ben Johnson’s Focused Approach

Timestamp: 09:36

• Coaching Philosophy:
  Both hosts praise Ben Johnson’s laser focus on a “one week at a time” mentality, avoiding speculation and distraction despite playoff buzz.
  • “He’s not concerned with…if we lose this, then we drop here. He’s just saying, what do we need to do to beat the Green Bay packers this week at Lambeau Field? And I know Caleb Williams talks about that…preparing…to be successful and win the week and win the week alone.” — Matt ([09:55] )

3. The Packers Matchup: A Crucial Exam

Timestamp: 12:55

• Signature Rivalry:

  • The Packers game at Lambeau is painted as a huge test, especially after the Bears’ “aced the Philadelphia Eagles test.”
  • References to the Bears embracing rivalry tradition, and the intensity of this specific NFC North matchup.
  • “This is the week they aced the Philadelphia Eagles test… Now, this is their next big exam going on the road and playing in Lambo.” — Matt ([13:30])

• Strategy Talk:
  Analysis of how the Bears might attack:

  • If Packers load the box to stop the run, Williams must make key throws.
  • “It is going to be imperative that Caleb Williams hits some of those plays downfield…The earlier, the better, the earlier, the better that he hits those.” — Matt ([15:09])
  • The importance of opening up the passing game to sustain the run threat.

4. The Passing Game: Where Caleb Williams Stands

Timestamp: 16:07

• Film Room Deep-Dive:
  Dan relays a thoughtful breakdown from Ted Nguyen (The Athletic) highlighting both the potential and current disjointedness of the Bears’ pass attack.

  • “Caleb Williams leads the NFL in off target passes.” ([17:11])
  • Williams isn’t inherently inaccurate; issues stem from chemistry, anticipation, and timing with young receivers.
  • “His head is swimming a bit while trying to become an anticipatory passer and his footwork isn’t as clean as it needs to be… Williams is finding the open receiver. He’s throwing the ball on time.” — Dan, paraphrasing Ted Nguyen ([17:54])
  • Ben Johnson: “[W]e need to be more disciplined in our route detail. It’s not where it needs to be. Our depth is not proper all the time.” ([21:12])

• Room for Optimism:

  • Time, reps, and experience should bring improvement; the Bears’ young group “are close to a breakthrough.” ([22:16])

• Completion is Key:

  • “You can’t keep living on the fact of having four or five or six of those I want those back type passes. You gotta start hitting those…” — Matt ([22:17])

5. The Joys and Frustrations of Chunk Plays

Timestamp: 25:22

• Fans’ Longing:

  • Matt craves a Bears receiver catching a deep ball in stride, running through “green grass”—not just possession or contested catches.
  • “That’s all I want to see. I don’t want to see possession catches anymore... I want to see Luther Burden, Roma Dunes A but more Luther catch the ball in stride…and just break down field…” ([25:22])

• Historical Perspective:

  • Bitter recollections of Packers’ quick slants burning the Bears in years past ([26:44]); desire to finally be “on the other side” of those highlight plays.

6. Packers’ Injuries and Bears’ Opportunity

Timestamp: 27:30

• Packers Defensive Woes:
  • Green Bay loses key DL Devonte Wyatt for the season ([27:32]).
  • Bears O-line advantage: Chance to exploit inexperienced backups (Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse) and continue dominant run game ([28:11]).
  • Bears are 2nd in NFL in yards/carry; Packers are middle of the pack.
  • Light-hearted debate over best nickname for Bears O-line: “Department of the Interior” vs. “Interior Designers.” ([29:28] – [29:52])

7. Comic Relief: Kicker Hijinks and Movie Trivia

Timestamp: 30:13

• Younghoe Koo's Missed Kick:

  • Dan animatedly recounts the viral failed field goal—the rare “whiff”—and the hilarity it caused on social media, comparing it to his own golf mishaps ([33:10]-[34:32]).
  • “That looks like my short game…He lunged, he planted with his left foot and his right foot. He swings the leg through, but his backside kind of collapses and his right foot hits a good foot and a half behind the football.” — Dan ([32:05])

• ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ and Bears Lore:

  • Matt breaks down the Bears reference in the beloved movie, researching the real-life context of that “Bears game” Steve Martin and John Candy discuss ([39:51]–[42:17]).
  • “The Bears win that game 30 to 10…Would have increased their record at that time to 8 and 2 on the year.” — Matt ([40:07])

8. NFL Playoff Nostalgia & Bittersweet Bears History

Timestamp: 43:12

• Recap of the Bears’ 1987-88 season and playoff heartbreak.
• Fun discussion about historic playoff receiving performances (Anthony Carter, Steve Smith, Flipper Anderson, et al.).
• “That game makes me crazy.” — Dan, on the infamous Bears-Redskins playoff choke ([43:18])

9. Hopeful Closing: Banishing Bad Memories

Timestamp: 48:20

• Dan: “Ben Johnson and the 2025 Chicago Bears can take all of those awful memories that we have and put them on a big pile and light them on fire. And then there’s going to be big party and big parade and everybody’s going to march around and be happy because the Bears win the Super Bowl.” ([48:20])

• Matt: Returns to the recurring theme of exorcising Bears demons—even wishing the Bears had faced (and “kicked the shit out of old man”) Aaron Rodgers. ([48:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If the Bears lose, the packers win, Rams win, Seahawks win, the Bears go from the one seed to the seven seed in just this weekend.” — Matt ([07:15])
• “Ben Johnson doesn’t look ahead…he’s just worried about beating the Green Bay packers this week.” — Matt ([09:55])
• “Caleb Williams leads the NFL in off target passes…despite the alarming off-target rate, Williams is not a naturally inaccurate passer…his head is swimming a bit while trying to become an anticipatory passer.” — Dan, via Ted Nguyen ([17:11], [17:54])
• “You can’t keep living on…those I want those back type passes. You gotta start hitting those.” — Matt ([22:17])
• “I want to see a Bears receiver catch the ball in stride and run through green grass. That’s all I want to see.” — Matt ([25:22])
• “Ben Johnson and the 2025 Chicago Bears can take all of those awful memories…put them on a big pile and light them on fire, and then there’s going to be big party…and the Bears win the Super Bowl.” — Dan ([48:20])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• NFC Standings & Playoff Outlook: 05:13 – 09:36
• Ben Johnson’s Coaching Philosophy: 09:36 – 11:05
• Packers vs Bears Preview: 12:55 – 16:07
• Caleb Williams & Passing Game Analysis: 16:07 – 25:22
• Bears' Need for Chunk Plays: 25:22 – 27:30
• Packers Injury Updates / O-Line Nicknames: 27:30 – 29:52
• Younghoe Koo Field Goal Comedy: 30:13 – 35:27
• 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles' Bears Game Deep Dive: 39:51 – 42:17
• Bears Playoff History & NFL Nostalgia: 43:12 – 48:20
• Segment on Hope & Exorcising Demons: 48:20 – End

Tone & Style Highlights

Dan and Matt maintain an enthusiastic, slightly sardonic, and deeply informed voice throughout—mixing stats, schemes, and historical context with Chicago sports wit and self-deprecation. They glide from hard analysis to comic relief (and back) in a way that embodies Chicago fandom, never losing sight of the big picture: cautious hopefulness for a fan base long conditioned to wait for the other shoe to drop.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode captures the exhilarating tension of a Bears team atop the NFC in December, the strategic X’s and O’s that could make or break their playoff seeding, and the perennial hope (and anxiety) of Chicago football life. It’s both a sharp football breakdown and a journey through decades of Bears highs and heartbreaks—a true Bears’ fan experience in podcast form.