Forward Progress: Chicago Bears Podcast

Playoff Postgame — "Caleb Williams Does It Again: Bears WIN 31-27 Over Green Bay"

Hosts: Dan Bernstein (B) & Matt Abbatacola (A)
Date: January 11, 2026

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola celebrate and break down the Chicago Bears' epic wildcard playoff comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers, 31-27. The episode is a cocktail of analytical breakdown, emotional reactions, and story-sharing as the hosts relive one of the most memorable wins in franchise history—an instant classic led by a defiant Caleb Williams and unprecedented resilience.

Key Points & Discussion Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Improbable, Unforgettable Win

• The Bears trailed 21-3 at halftime and looked outmatched; virtually everyone doubted their chances.
• The comeback is framed as one of the quintessential moments in franchise—and rivalry—history.
• Both hosts oscillate between disbelief and elation, emphasizing the surreal, euphoric nature of the night.

"Remember that. Remember that if you're with your kids, if you're with your grandkids, remember that. We're gonna come up with a name for it at some point."
— Dan Bernstein (00:57)

2. Caleb Williams: Stats Breaker, Mindset Matters

• Williams' intangible ability to block out adversity and live in the moment is celebrated as his "superpower."
• Multiple breakdowns of Williams’ game-changing fourth-and-eight completion to Rome Odunze while suspended in midair.
• His performance is described as one that “makes stats irrelevant.”

"Somehow... Caleb Williams has found a way to obviate stats. They don't matter. He doesn't care... All that matters to him is make the next play."
— Dan Bernstein (02:57)

"He threw that ball with neither foot on the ground."
— Matt Abbatacola (04:30)

"He's breaking these things. He's making all of this stuff not matter... He's the quarterback of the Chicago Bears."
— Dan Bernstein (04:35)

• Williams’ final line: 24/48, 361 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, with defining plays outweighing "ugly" stats.

3. Second Half Adjustments & Key Sequences

• The Bears came out transformed after halftime—defensive adjustments credited to coordinator Dennis Allen for disguising coverages and confusing Jordan Love.
• Discussion of critical in-game decisions: switching to more under-center snaps, timely play calls from Ben Johnson (notably the fake Luther Burden screen for a DJ Moore TD).
• Defensive turnaround included limiting Josh Jacobs after a strong first half, and Montez Sweat’s game-changing pressure.

"He used his eyes perfectly. He used his body perfectly. And then waited for DJ Moore and gave him a perfect dime to get in the end zone untouched."
— Matt Abbatacola (09:01)

4. Emergence of Colston Loveland & Other Standouts

• Rookie TE Colston Loveland’s performance is hailed as a “star is born” postseason coming-out party (8 catches, 137 yards).
• Zaccheaus’ "unexpected" TD and crucial contributions from DJ Moore and Rome Odunze get mention.

"[Colston Loveland] cannot be covered. And he is only a rookie... If you want to throw him the ball, you can throw him the ball at any down, at any distance, anywhere."
— Matt Abbatacola (18:54)

5. Defensive Storylines & Special Moments

• Bears defense is chastised in the first half, then praised for resilience, schematic adjustments, and key plays (Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson).
• Notable critique of cornerback usage and man-to-man coverage woes, especially given injury status.
• Montez Sweat’s “earned his contract” moment and critique of Drew Dalman’s erratic snapping.
• Gervon Dexter’s wild fumble recovery attempt and special teams execution.

"For anything that you've said about Montez Sweat, he earned his entire contract there on the second and 15."
— Dan Bernstein (07:14)

6. The Emotional & Cultural Impact

• Both hosts repeatedly return to the community and legacy aspect of the win—"an all-time Bears moment."
• Listeners’ stories and emails are shared, including a 9-year-old girl who becomes a Bears fan for life after watching the game, and family rituals/memories.

"This is just part of the process."
— Listener Jared in Lake Villa (27:55)

7. Bears–Packers Rivalry: Context and Aftermath

• The agony for Green Bay is contrasted with Chicago’s ecstasy (Bernstein: "This may be their kicker game. Their double-doink.").
• Repeated references to this being Matt LaFleur’s last game as Packers head coach.
• Analysis of turning points, missed opportunities by the Packers (e.g., fumbles not recovered, missed kicks).
• A palpable sense that the game’s emotional magnitude goes "beyond just a win."

8. Game Stats and Final Numbers

• Bears: 28 rush attempts (3.3 YPC), 48 pass attempts.
• Packers: 23 rush attempts (4.3 YPC), 46 pass attempts.
• Pre-snap penalties: Bears had zero; critical to their win.
• Each team recorded a single sack; turnover battle was not won by the Bears, breaking a trend from Packers’ prior losses.
• Bears outscored the Packers 25-6 in the fourth quarter.

9. Injuries & Other Chicago Sports Tidbits

• Updates on in-game injuries: Ozzie Trapillo (patellar, out for season), T.J. Edwards (apparent ankle/leg injury).
• Secondary banter includes joy over the Cubs signing Alex Bregman and concurrent Blackhawks/Bulls wins—"the trifecta" for Chicago sports.

10. Memorable Quotes & Banter

• Matt’s halftime rant in the YouTube chat calling out doubters: "Shame, shame, shame on all of you." (01:26)
• Postgame handshake between Ben Johnson and Matt LaFleur described as “a drive by… the most intentionally, clearly dismissive half a handshake.” (36:23)
• "Bring on John. John Harbaugh. Bring him on because you're next, motherfucker!" — Matt Abbatacola (22:03)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Spirited Opening, Aftermath:
  "Remember that... We're gonna come up with a name for it at some point." — Dan Bernstein (00:57)

• On Caleb Williams’ Defiance of Stats:
  "All that matters to him is make the next play." — Dan Bernstein (02:57)
  "He threw that ball with neither foot on the ground." — Matt Abbatacola (04:30)

• Loveland Praise:
  "He cannot be covered... If you want to throw him the ball, you can throw him the ball at any down, at any distance, anywhere on the field." — Matt Abbatacola (18:54)

• Abbatacola’s Halftime Challenge:
  “Shame on all of you and shame on me... I am a complete wreck right now.” — Dan Bernstein (01:49)

• Rivalry Context:
  "They didn't just beat some team. The Bears were underdogs at home against the Green Bay packers... They beat him." — Dan Bernstein (17:03)
  "[LaFleur's] seven year old reign as the packers head coach just came to an end at the hands of Caleb fucking Williams. Period." — Matt Abbatacola (22:00)

• Listener Moment:
  "'Our 9 year old daughter... We surprised her with a Caleb Williams jersey... She was ecstatic... And now a 9-year-old Bears lifer.'" — Email read by Dan Bernstein (27:55)

Timestamps for Key Moments

• The Doubters & Halftime Despair: 01:26–01:49
• Matrix Analogy, Caleb Williams, Defying Stats: 02:57–04:35
• Odunze 4th-and-8 Conversion Talk: 04:30–06:31, revisited at 39:52
• Loveland Breakout Discussion: 18:54–19:44
• Packers' Missed Opportunities, Defensive Adjustment: 11:05–13:37
• Listener Email, Fandom Building: 25:37–27:55
• Iconic Handshake & Rivalry Salt-Rubbing: 35:26 & 36:23
• Stats Recap and Clean Play: 22:08, 57:59–58:53
• Injuries and Analysis: 51:04–52:23
• Game Without Punts & Historical Reference: 59:47–60:51

Tone, Energy, and Final Thoughts

• Relentlessly honest, emotionally charged, often explicit ("I do work blue"), the episode feels like an afterglow celebration in a living room or bar filled with lifelong Bears fans.
• Throughout, both hosts mix statistical and strategic analysis with reminiscence, humor, and celebration—the tone is part technical, part therapy session, part victory parade.
• There’s a clear sense of community—internet chat, family rituals, calls for fans to “remember this,” and tales of children being minted as “Bears lifers.”

Conclusion

This episode is both a cathartic tribute to the Bears’ playoff resilience and an expert’s breakdown of how and why it happened. Dan and Matt capture the intensity of the moment and contextualize it for history, inviting the whole city—families, kids, diehards, and newcomers—to savor a victory that might just change everything for the Chicago Bears.