Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: "Chicago Bears start as underdogs to 1-5 Ravens"
Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

This episode revolves around the puzzling reality that the Chicago Bears, at 4-2, are starting as significant underdogs against the 1-5 Baltimore Ravens. Dan and Matt blend their signature analytical breakdowns with irreverent humor, diving into Bears’ fan frustrations, the development of quarterback Caleb Williams under new coaching, and bigger NFL storylines. The show consistently blends immediate game analysis with broader football context and plenty of sidebars into pop culture and nostalgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vegas Odds: Bears as Underdogs Against the Ravens

Timestamps: 00:20 – 05:57

• The Bears are 6.5-point underdogs despite facing the 1-5 Ravens.
• Dan notes: “I don’t think there is any active disrespect going on here, but it does tell you something… odds makers are begging for you, the Bears fan, to react angrily.” (00:38)
• The conversation suggests this line is not a real measure of strength, but an attempt to shape betting behavior.
• Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith expected to play, even though Jackson had not practiced.

Notable Exchange:

• Dan: “Do you think the Ravens are going to win this game by two field goals?” (05:40)
• Matt: “Really? I don’t.” (05:48)

2. Quarterback Caleb Williams: Development, Criticism, and Fan Tribes

Timestamps: 05:57 – 14:56

• Both hosts dissect the polarized hot takes surrounding Caleb Williams' weekly performances.
• Dan reframes Williams’ trajectory, arguing his disastrous first-year coaching essentially means he’s in a ‘rookie season, part two’: “For his entire first year he was coached by dullards… this is the first time he’s really being coached in the NFL.” (06:52)
• Matt adds, “It was the perfect storm of having an incompetent coaching staff multiple times over with a guy who came in with a massive ego… The consistency was really poor.” (07:31)
• There’s exasperation with the hyperbolic swings in fan opinion: "It’s going to get exhausting because every game is this referendum on the entire Caleb Williams thing.” – Dan (05:57)

Caleb’s Own Self-Assessment

(Clip played at 09:05)

• Caleb Williams: “If we complete the passes… I missed about five or six, I think, on the run, which is extremely frustrating for me. I think guys got open and, you know, I think I missed. And I think that’s what it boils down to.” (09:05)
• The hosts riff about getting "players the explosive ball" (Caleb's phrase), spiraling into a gag about explosive footballs and an 80s arcade game, Cyberball.

Host Perspective: Nonlinear Progress

• Matt: “There’s a development here and a long learning curve with Ben Johnson teaching and coaching Caleb Williams.” (12:42)
• Dan: “We gotta exist in the in-between where Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson are. It will be nonlinear. There are going to be good games and bad games.” (13:20)
• Extending leniency to Williams is fair given the context, but expectations can remain high: “You can have very high expectations and also understand reality on the ground.” – Dan (14:36)

3. Comparisons to Other QBs and the Ben Johnson Offense

Timestamps: 24:58 – 30:07

• They read a detailed tweet comparing Caleb Williams’ first six games with Ben Johnson to Jared Goff’s first six games under Ben Johnson in Detroit.
  • Points highlighted: Goff, even as a seasoned vet, had similar growing pains and stats to Williams.
  • Williams is juggling a more complex offense, unfamiliar personnel, and reworked mechanics.

Notable Quote:

• Dan: “We have an apt comparison with someone who was already a number one overall pick.” (29:15)
• Matt: “That tweet deserves bears on three. One, two, three…” (29:08)

4. Team Injuries and Defensive Strategy Concerns

Timestamps: 16:13 – 18:06; 17:07 – 18:27

• Tyreek Stevenson injury and depth questions at cornerback.
• Discussion of approaching Ravens’ rushing attack, especially against Derrick Henry.
• Defensive injuries could force Kyle Gordon to start outside.
• Both hosts emphasize that the Bears' recent wins have leaned on turnovers and bounces, a pattern hard to sustain, especially facing the Ravens’ superior run game.

Dan: “I just don’t think the Bears can beat the Ravens like they beat the Commanders and the Saints… It’s really hard to stop Derrick Henry.” (16:04)

5. Defense, Turnovers, and the Lovie Smith Philosophy

Timestamps: 18:27 – 24:58

• Dan warns about defining a defense only by turnovers: “It concerns me about whether or not you’re entirely dedicated to tough, responsible, aggressive defense.” (22:39)
• The Lovey Smith approach: Secure the tackle first, then target turnovers opportunistically—not at the expense of sound defense.
• Matt: “With the exception of a few plays, they are staying within their assignment and they’re keeping their duties as the main priority.” (22:59)

Humorous Digression:

• Extended bit about “turnovers” (as in pastries) leading to a running gag that “Dan Bernstein hates turnovers.” (21:13 – 22:08)

6. Pop Culture Asides and Light Moments

Timestamps: 31:00 – 52:15

My Buddy Doll Riff

• The hosts digress into an extended parody of the infamous “My Buddy” doll commercials, improvising increasingly absurd and dark lyrics.
• (Ex: Matt: “He buys crack from my friend. He’s my buddy… why does he have his dad’s gun?” – 33:09)

Weeble Chat

• Nostalgia riff about Weebles (“Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down”), commercial jingles, and misremembered taglines.

Dan’s Dream Body Pillows

• Dan jokes he’d like an Alejandro Kirk or Stan Van Gundy body pillow, “because he always looks like he needs a hug.” (49:08)

7. Honoring Doug Martin & Discussing In-Custody Death

Timestamps: 37:35 – 41:55

• Brief, somber focus on the death of former NFL running back Doug Martin in police custody.
• Both hosts voice skepticism about the official police press release language.
• Discussion is notably more serious and cautious, emphasizing the importance of transparency.

Dan: “...official statement from the cops is worded like that, it tells me there’s a lot more that we need to know…” (41:11)

8. NFL Hall of Fame Coach Candidates

Timestamps: 42:00 – 46:36

• Matt lists the 12 coaches moved forward for Hall of Fame consideration, questioning why names like Mike Shanahan, George Seifert, Dan Reeves, Mike Holmgren, and Tom Coughlin aren’t already in.
• Quick sidebar on Hall of Fame voting politics.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Caleb Williams’ Critics:
  “It’s going to get exhausting because every game is this referendum on the entire Caleb Williams thing… I think we gotta realize it isn’t.” – Dan Bernstein (05:57)
• On Coaching Transition:
  “For his entire first year he was coached by dullards and this is the first time he’s… breaking down his footwork.” – Dan Bernstein (06:52)
• On Fan Tribalism:
  “I don’t get it, Dan, because if you criticize Caleb Williams, there’s a group of Caleb fans… and then there’s the guys that won’t see anything positive…” – Matt Abbatacola (08:31)
• On Turnover Sustainability:
  “If turnovers happen to come because you’re flying around out there, great… If turnovers are happening as a function of tough, responsible, hard hitting, aggressive defense, awesome.” – Dan Bernstein (20:43)

Segment Timestamps

• [00:20] Bears as underdogs, Vegas context
• [05:57] Caleb Williams' development/host perspectives
• [09:05] Caleb Williams audio: self-assessment
• [12:42] Nonlinear progress, fan tribe dangers
• [13:20] Quarterback learning curves
• [16:13] Defensive injuries, Ravens matchup
• [18:27] Turnover discussion, Lovey Smith philosophy
• [24:58] Jared Goff/Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson comparison
• [37:35] Doug Martin passing, in-custody concerns
• [42:00] Hall of Fame eligible coaches
• [31:00–35:10 & 47:06–52:15] Pop culture riffs (My Buddy, Weebles, personal anecdotes)

Final Tone & Takeaways

• Tone: Candid, analytical, irreverent, authentic Chicago sports radio
• Core Message: Don’t overreact to oddsmaker lines or week-to-week performance – player development, coaching transitions, and team fortunes are complex and nonlinear.
• Unmissable Bits:
  • “Getting players the explosive ball” (Caleb’s gaffe and ensuing riffs)
  • My Buddy doll jingle parody

A must-listen for Bears fans wanting both substance and a real sense of Chicago sports personality—just don’t expect a straight-laced, play-by-play breakdown.