Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: POSTGAME: Caleb Williams leads the Chicago Bears to a comeback VICTORY against the Packers
Date: December 21, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola

Episode Overview

In this electric postgame breakdown, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola revel in the Chicago Bears' improbable 22-16 overtime win against the Green Bay Packers. The duo unpacks one of the most memorable Bears-Packers clashes in recent history—a roller coaster where rookie quarterback Caleb Williams engineered a comeback victory that has instant-classic written all over it. The hosts analyze everything: coaching decisions, player performances, controversial hits, and the significance of this win for fans and the franchise.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Dissection of the Bears' dramatic, unlikely comeback victory over the Packers.
• Elevating Caleb Williams’ growing legend and leadership qualities.
• Assessing pivotal moments, key contributors, and questionable officiating.
• Placing the win in historical and emotional context for the Bears organization and its fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Anatomy of a Stolen Win

• Improbable comeback: "A game that the Bears had no business winning until they won it." (Dan, 00:25)

  • Bears trailed for much of the night, outplayed and outcoached, yet refused to fold.
  • Caleb Williams' clutch performance—sixth comeback win in the final two minutes this season, an NFL record (Matt, 05:09).

• Turning points:

  • Onside kick recovery (Josh Blackwell): “Already won them the Raiders game... to come up with the recovery of the onside kick. This, I don't know what you ask of a Pro bowl special teamer...” (Dan, 02:38)
  • Montez Sweat’s timely sack: “We didn't hear Montez Sweat's name called until the very end... Until it was absolutely needed.” (Dan & Matt, 03:21–03:24)
  • Jade Walker’s first NFL TD to tie: "Jade Walker ties the game with his first ever undrafted rookie wide receiver. His first ever touchdown in the NFL comes in this game at that moment. Unbelievable." (Matt, 01:41)
  • Key face mask penalty keeps Bears alive: “Warren Brinson who grabs Williams's face mask… Had he not done that, the Bears lose.” (Dan, 39:28)

2. Caleb Williams – “You Just Know You Have a Winner”

• Intangibles and composure:
  • “There really isn't, it's not measured by numbers. We can look at his, some of the inaccuracies, some of the poor decisions... But there is really kind of an old school throwback quarterback sensibility about this guy... this kid's a winner.” (Dan, 04:05)
  • “His greatest attribute is that he plays one play at a time. And when that play ends, it's over. He's on to the next play. It's something you can't teach.” (Matt, 05:09)
• Statline: 19/34, 250 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (Dan, 16:31)
• Clutch under pressure: "That dude is just — he's ice cold under pressure, man." (Matt, 23:21)

3. Praise and Critique for Key Contributors

• Josh Blackwell: Massive special teams impact.
• DJ Moore: Battled through a dirty shot early, made critical catches, including the game-winner; “I'll be damned if this guy didn't make these plays.” (Dan, 06:25)
• Cairo Santos: Navigated heavy winds, pivotal FGs, “He did a little bit of Lynx golf out there.” (Dan, 10:37)
• Nashon Wright and TJ Edwards: Standout defensive play; Wright now leads the NFL in turnovers created (Matt, 27:08).
• Grady Jarrett & Defensive Line: Good against the run but continue to lack pass rush; a major concern for playoff aspirations (15:32–16:14).
• Jade Walker: Undrafted rookie gets his first TD in the biggest possible spot, even pulling out the now-iconic “Jubi Slide” dance (Dan, 17:30).

4. Controversies and Officiating

• The DJ Moore hit:
  • "It's an absolute dirty, cheap shot the NFL will look at. He probably will get fined." (Matt, 07:32)
  • Frustration at the Fox broadcast’s downplaying — Tom Brady giggling, repeated replays (Dan & Matt, 08:21)
• Brisker’s unnecessary roughness: Correct but painful call given the context (Dan & Matt, 33:19).
• General officiating: Bears wracked up 10 penalties for 105 yards, including several 15-yarders (13:00).

5. Coaching Reflections

• Ben Johnson’s playcalling:
  • Criticized for "cute" 4th and 1 in the red zone; “That call was the story of this game and everything to be written... who rescued it? Caleb Williams.” (Dan, 10:38)
  • Praised for instilling mental resilience and belief all year: “...perhaps this team's unwavering belief must also be credited to the job that he's been doing since training camp.” (Dan, 24:27)
• Packers’ coaching lauded: "I give Matt LaFleur and Jeff Halfley a lot of credit. That was a very well coached team." (Dan, 09:22)

6. Rivalry & Generational Moments

• Historic context:
  • "This was the most significant Bears packers game since the... Chris Conte ending since Aaron Rodgers found Cobb for that touchdown..." (Dan, 28:57)
  • 13 of last 14 meetings had gone Packers’ way — this win is a generational memory for young Bears fans (Dan, 29:28).

7. Emotional Fallout—Bears Community Reaction

• Relaying family and friends’ wild celebrations, from kids texting expletives to in-home beer-can-crushing (Matt & Dan, 30:54+).
• Universal sense of disbelief and cathartic joy: “I can't believe they got the onside kick.” (Matt, 13:00)
• “This is the thing that fandoms are made of. This is the thing that connections to fans are really made of, of memories like this...” (Dan, 29:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“A game that the Bears had no business winning until they won it.”
— Dan Bernstein (00:25)

“His greatest attribute is that he plays one play at a time. And when that play ends, it's over. He's on to the next play. It's something you can't teach.”
— Matt Abbatacola (05:09)

“You get an onside kick. You get a Jade Walker touchdown... with the division lead on the line.”
— Matt Abbatacola (22:35)

“That dude is just — he's ice cold under pressure, man. It's insane how he can perform under pressure.”
— Matt Abbatacola (23:21)

“There is a confidence about this team... I think perhaps this team's unwavering belief must also be credited to the job that [Ben Johnson]'s been doing since training camp.”
— Dan Bernstein (24:27)

“This 22 to 16 overtime victory was the fifth most improbable win in the last 10 years. The Bears win probability before recovering the onside kick was 0.5%.”
— Dan Bernstein [quoting Joe Ostrowski] (44:33)

“This is the thing that fandoms are made of. ...You got a generation of young Bears fans that now has a positive Bears packers memory at Soldier Field because of what they watched them do tonight. And that's really damn cool.”
— Dan Bernstein (29:28)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:25–02:00: Immediate reactions to the comeback and key plays.
• 02:38–03:24: Shout-out to Josh Blackwell and Montez Sweat for their clutch plays.
• 04:05–05:31: Deep discussion on Caleb Williams’ intangibles and leadership.
• 06:25–08:54: DJ Moore’s resilience, the dirty hit, and criticism of the broadcast.
• 09:22–10:37: Onside kick, Bears take over NFC North, coaching analysis.
• 13:00–14:10: Penalties, onside kick disbelief, referencing Bears history.
• 16:31–18:16: Stat rundown, Jade Walker’s breakout, Jubi Slide explained.
• 24:27–26:38: Assessing Ben Johnson’s impact; mental toughness of the team.
• 29:28–31:12: Emotional and generational importance of the win.
• 39:28–41:09: Face mask penalty, game-saving moments.
• 44:33–45:40: Statistical rarity and historical footnotes for the win.

Bears 22 – Packers 16: Fast Facts

• Bears record: 11–4, controlling NFC North.
• Packers fall: 9–5–1.
• Caleb Williams: 19/34, 250 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT; 6th late comeback win this year.
• Jade Walker: Undrafted rookie, game-tying TD on his first NFL catch.
• Key contributors: DJ Moore (5/97, crucial plays), Cairo Santos (navigated winds), Josh Blackwell (onside recovery), Nashon Wright (turnover creator).
• Coaching: Scrutinized, yet Ben Johnson credited for team’s belief and poise.
• Penalties: 10 for 105 yards, including four 15-yarders.

Closing Thoughts

The hosts wrap up by contextualizing the win in both the rivalry and franchise history, emphasizing Caleb Williams’ emergence as the Bears’ new heart, and inviting fans to savor the moment. For once, it’s the Packers’ fans left in disbelief and heartbreak—a seismic shift for Bears nation.