Forward Progress - Chicago Bears Podcast
Episode: Chicago Bears win in Minnesota 19-17 | Get to 7-3 on the Season
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Release Date: November 16, 2025
Episode Overview
The Bears squeaked out a tense 19-17 win against the division rival Vikings in Minnesota, improving their record to 7-3 and vaulting themselves to the top of the NFC North standings (pending other results). Dan and Matt break down the game’s wild turns, the underwhelming offensive execution, the crucial special teams swing, and the playoff ramifications. Their analysis blends technical details with the lived agony and joy of every Bears fan—and they provide sharp, honest takes on coaching, quarterback play, and how even wins can reveal persistent flaws.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The “Devin Duvernay Game” & Special Teams Lifeline
- The defining moment was Devin Duvernay’s late kick return, which set up Santos’ game-winning field goal.
- Dan: “That kick that squeaked its way inside the left upright ... is the difference between 7 and 3 and 6 and 4 and the different a 31 percentage point difference in playoff chances.” [01:34]
- Matt: “You got the important kick return for the first time all year from Duvernay.” [03:16]
Notable Moment:
- The return was perfectly blocked and designed to change direction across the field—a wrinkle not seen all season. Duvernay “didn’t have to break stride,” which was “blocked perfectly” and burst wide open. [15:56]
Critical View:
- Dan points out this comes “against a special teams unit clearly in need of future changes”—expecting a new coach after the season. [03:40]
2. Close Calls & Ugly Execution
- Both hosts bemoan the Bears’ red zone struggles and the fact they let the Vikings hang in a game “neither team wanted to win.”
- “This should not have been a two point game. And the Bears, I think, had opportunities in the lower half of the red zone that they settled for field goals instead of touchdowns. This should not have happened this way.” – Matt [03:11]
- “At the end of the year there’s going to be a new special teams coach for the Bears... but to allow that punt return, that changed everything.” – Dan [03:40]
3. Defensive Standouts & Momentum Shifts
- Montez Sweat’s late-game bat-down and Nishan Wright’s high-point end zone interception are spotlighted as game-saving plays. “That is just a fantastic individual effort... a spectacular interception by Nishan Wright.” – Dan [20:12]
- Bears’ defense remains opportunistic, boasting three of the NFL’s top interceptors: Byard (5), Edmonds (4), Wright (4). [19:52]
Concern:
- Injuries continue to thin the secondary: Tyrique Stevenson’s exit (calf/hip) and uncertain return for Jalen Johnson.
4. Tight Ends Rise, Receivers Falter
- Both Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland receive "game balls" for their dual threat as blockers and reliable check-downs:
- “Kmet was a beast... Loveland somehow has a cloaking device where guys just end up missing him.” – Dan [05:41]
- The WR corps, highlighted by DJ Moore’s singular catch and multiple drops, has a quiet night. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden fill in with modest contributions.
5. Caleb Williams Watch: Growth & Grit, But No Shine
- Williams’ stat line: 16/32, 193 yds, no TD/INT—“pedestrian at best.”
- “He is just, he’s something special. What we’ve seen the last few weeks.” – Matt [25:50]
- “His fakes need to get better.” – Dan [43:13]
- His ability to escape sacks and keep plays alive is admired, but the lack of explosive plays and red zone efficiency remains a concern.
6. Coaching Insights & Ben Johnson's Decisions
- Johnson leaned more on power runs and I-formation sets, especially over the left side. Joe Thuney’s acquisition and line play are praised for late-game ground gains.
- Some questionable trickery: using backup Bajant twice for “too cute” decoy plays, and repeated ineffective screen passes in key situations.
- “That's pushing the definition of strategy a little bit too close to too cute for me.” – Dan [09:24]
- The incremental snap count adjustments—Luther Burden over Olamide Zacchaeus—highlight Johnson’s ability to see what fans see and act on it.
7. Vikings’ Struggles & McCarthy’s Collapse
- Viking QB J.J. McCarthy had one of his worst professional performances (“every kind of bad throw you could imagine”), yet led one competent drive that temporarily gave Minnesota the lead.
- Multiple shocking drop passes (Addison, Hockenson, Jefferson).
- Justin Jefferson’s body language and apparent distractions off-field are discussed—he finished with 5 catches for 61 yards but looked disconnected.
8. Red Zone Follies & Missed Opportunities
- Bears repeatedly left points on the field, perennially settling for field goals in promising situations.
- Matt wants to rewatch for whether it’s execution or Ben Johnson’s playcalling, but leans toward missed chances: “This game shouldn’t have been a two-point game ... can’t believe they got the ball back with 54 seconds.” [28:02]
9. Playoff Picture & Realism
- Bears’ record (7-3) “ahead of where we expected... but they've got a ton of work to do.”
- “You’ve graduated from the ‘In the Hunt’ graphic... now you’re a real-ass playoff team at the moment.” – Dan [39:55]
- Both caution how fine the line is between 7-3 and mediocrity, pointing to variance, dropped picks, and short red zone trips.
10. NFC North Landscape & Looking Forward
- Bears currently lead the NFC North but still need to capitalize as division play heats up.
- Upcoming games: Steelers (Week 11), followed by Eagles on Black Friday, and critical matchups against the Packers.
- Bears’ improvement against weak teams isn’t dismissed: “They've played 10 games, they've won seven... that's the way the schedule goes.” – Matt [19:07]
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
-
“Stop doing this to me. Stop doing this to us. We don't need this kind of aggravation in our lives.”
– Dan Bernstein, opening the show with classic exasperation [01:34] -
“I just thought this was a workmanlike game that might be remembered as the day that Ben Johnson finally needed both tight ends in his game plan.”
– Dan [05:41] -
"I've never truly felt super confident. Despite how bad J.J. McCarthy was playing... I was like, it's going to be a really ugly win, but at least they're going to win.”
– Matt [04:26] -
“There’s a new Sherrick in town and his name is Josh Blackwell. So just, you know, don’t. Don’t be stupid. This team can’t afford to be stupid. There's such a fine line between this team being in 7-3 and God knows what else.”
– Dan [38:07] -
“You’ve graduated from the in the hunt graphic, and now you’re a real-ass playoff team at the moment. And now you can play like it and you can have that, but there isn't a lot that separates them from being something way worse.”
– Dan [39:55] -
“Imagine if in one of those drives where you’re in the lower half of the red zone, instead of a field goal, you punch one of those in for a touchdown... all it is is a couple plays.”
– Matt [41:09]
Important Timestamps
- 01:34 – Bears' playoff chances swing, open
- 03:11 – Red zone missed opportunities
- 05:41 – Praise for tight end play
- 09:24 – Critique of play-calling, too-cute plays
- 15:56 – Duvernay’s game-changing return
- 19:52 – Defensive takeaway leaders
- 20:12 – Wright’s highlight INT
- 25:50 – Caleb Williams’ escape acts, intangibles
- 28:02 – Red zone rewatch, frustrations
- 39:55 – What the playoff position really means; narrow win margins
- 41:45 – Ground game’s importance to the win
- 43:13 – Williams’ selling play action/fakes
- 50:10 – Projections, aiming for 10+ wins
Overall Tone & Takeaways
Dan and Matt are cautiously celebratory, infused with the anxiety of a long-suffering Bears fandom. They balance genuine enjoyment of the team’s 7-3 record and real playoff aspiration with rigorous criticism of coaching, execution, and the close shaves against middling competition.
The central message: The Bears are winning ugly, but for once, they’re winning the ugly ones—and as the hosts make clear, that’s a critical difference from seasons past.
Next Up:
Bears face the Steelers, then a crucial Friday game against the Eagles, as the playoff push intensifies.