Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

POSTGAME: Chicago Bears LOSE despite Caleb's 4th quarter comeback against Detroit

Hosts: Dan Bernstein (B) & Matt Abbatacola (A)
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this spirited postgame episode, Dan and Matt break down the Bears' narrow 19-16 home loss to the Lions in a regular season finale filled with disappointment, flashes of excitement, and lingering questions as the team clinches the NFC 2-seed and heads to the playoffs. The hosts analyze the team’s flat three quarters, late-game heroics by rookie QB Caleb Williams, defensive woes, coaching decisions, and what lies ahead in a now-confirmed playoff showdown with the arch-rival Packers. The episode balances the hosts’ analytical acumen with raw, unfiltered Bears fan emotion, reflecting on a season that was equal parts thrilling and frustrating.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reactions: Disappointment Despite Success

• Dan opens by reflecting on the uniquely entertaining Bears season, expressing gratitude but also uncertainty about the team’s future playoff performance (00:25).

  “This has been a whole hell of a lot of fun in a lot of ways…one of the most interesting, entertaining Bears regular seasons.” — Dan (00:59)

• Matt emphasizes his disappointment stemming from the team’s lack of energy and effort through most of the game, especially given the stakes (02:25).

  “There was a lack of energy, the lack of effort at times and just no rhythm whatsoever for three quarters was very disappointing to see.” — Matt (02:45)

2. Offensive Struggles & Caleb Williams’ Fourth Quarter Turn

• The hosts decry a lifeless offense for three quarters: poor play-calling, failure to exploit Detroit’s zone, and multiple drops by receivers (05:58).
  • Not at all a “Caleb looked bad” game, but rather the offense collectively underperforming.
• Five key drops killed momentum; a dropped pass by Luther Burden after a crucial INT is singled out as a game-altering moment (05:51).

  “He still should have had it...but it was an absolute bullet.” — Matt (05:51)

• Despite the struggles, Caleb Williams set the single-season Bears passing yardage record (10:34, 212 yards in the game), though he fell short of 4,000 yards.
• Colston Loveland’s standout performance (10 catches, 91 yards, 13 targets) is highlighted as both a bright spot and a looming focus for Green Bay’s defense next week (10:25, 10:34).

3. Defensive Concerns & Front Four Ineffectiveness

• Both hosts lament the inability of the front four to pressure Jared Goff and consistently disrupt plays, a recurring issue signaling major playoff vulnerabilities (06:46, 16:19).

  “If they can't find a way to bother the opposing quarterback without sacrificing the quality of their coverage, they're in real trouble.” — Dan (15:22)

• Jalen Johnson’s performance is described as subpar, with questions about his health and role (07:46, 43:01).

  “Right now he is more of a liability than he is an asset.” — Matt (07:47)

• The Lions’ mastery of non-contact “screens” (picks) and crossing routes is recognized as a model that the Bears struggled to counter (04:31).

  “They run those crossing routes with screen shots to perfection, which is why they lead the league in yards after catch.” — Matt (04:13)

• EPA stats reveal the Bears’ D (minus turnovers) is worst in the NFL, a stark indictment of their underlying performance (23:59).

4. Playoff Outlook: Packers Await, “New Season” Mentality

• With the Commanders defeating the Eagles (08:11), Chicago earns the NFC #2 seed and a home playoff date against Green Bay.
• Matt struggles emotionally with another date against the Packers, despite recent Bears success; Dan prefers this matchup to facing the Niners (18:05).

  “I hate the Packers so much. I’m not ready emotionally for another Packers game this season.” — Matt (18:05)

• Both see little to no hope for internal fixes on defense, especially the pass rush, before the playoffs (16:19).

  “Nothing's going to be different…There isn’t a guy on the roster they haven’t played yet.” — Matt (16:19)

5. Notable Plays & Individual Standouts

• Acrobatic 2PT conversion by Cole Kmet (10:01), who recovers from a missed block, scrambles, and holds on after a massive hit—called “the most unbelievable 2-point conversion you’ll ever see” by Matt.
• Praise for Jaquan Brisker’s awareness and Kevin Byard’s interception (08:26).
• Aiden Hutchinson’s mostly-contained day versus Darnell Wright/OL is called a minor win for the Bears (33:17).
• Only one major injury: C.J. Gardner-Johnson in concussion protocol after a late-game hit (21:47, 29:46).
• Lighthearted confusion over Nicola Kalanich’s presence on the Bears’ roster provides comic relief (30:59).

6. Stat Trends & Historical Oddities

• Bears finish 11-6 but with a losing division record (2-4), a rarity for division champs (20:30).
• Noted as the first time a team made the playoffs after allowing 42+ points in three games (20:49).
• Defensive decline: Over 1,300 yards allowed in last three games (27:21).

7. Coaching & Scheme Critique

• Bears defensive staff unable to adjust to Lions’ offensive designs, including manipulation of Bears’ pre-snap line shifts (24:02).
• Offense criticized for lacking bootlegs, rollouts, and ways to exploit Caleb Williams’ mobility (36:58).
• Ben Johnson’s public disappointment in team’s effort and offense echoed by hosts (12:22, 35:59).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This has been a whole hell of a lot of fun…one of the most interesting, entertaining Bears regular seasons.” — Dan (00:59)
• “There was a lack of energy, the lack of effort at times and just no rhythm whatsoever for three quarters was very disappointing.” — Matt (02:45)
• “If Jalen Johnson is being attacked, there’s a problem.” — Dan (06:46)
• “I hate the Packers so much. I’m not ready emotionally for another Packers game this season.” — Matt (18:05)
• “It was a fingertip catch on which [Cole Kmet] got absolutely creased…unbelievable.” — Dan (10:01)
• “If they play like that they don’t have a chance…You can’t wave a wand and magically make those four guys with their hands on the ground better.” — Dan (15:22)
• “Nothing’s going to be different. There isn’t a guy on the roster they haven’t played yet.” — Matt (16:19)
• “All you had to do was put together one drive in the first three quarters...they couldn’t even do that.” — Matt (51:13)
• [Comic relief] “Who are you? What do you do? ...I thought it was some like made-up dude or a guy that won a charity auction to stand there and look like a Bear.” — Dan re: Nicola Kalanich (31:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:25 – Dan’s reflections on the season and reaction to the loss
• 02:25 – Matt’s disappointment in effort and lack of energy
• 04:13 – The Lions’ crossing route mastery and Bears’ inability to defend
• 05:51 – Game-altering Luther Burden drop and ensuing stalled drive
• 06:46 – Defensive line inefficacy and secondary struggles
• 08:11 – Playoff seeding locked: Bears to face Packers
• 10:01 – Cole Kmet’s dramatic 2PT conversion catch
• 10:25–10:34 – Loveland’s offensive impact and Caleb Williams’ passing record
• 16:19 – No defensive fixes left on the roster; playoff realities
• 18:05 – Emotional toll of yet another “Packers week”
• 21:47 – C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury update
• 23:59 – Bears’ defensive EPA woes stat drop
• 30:59 – The Nicola Kalanich mystery
• 33:17 – Offensive line performance, especially vs Hutchinson
• 36:58 – Lack of designed Caleb Williams rollouts and mobility plays
• 43:01 – Jalen Johnson’s struggles drilling home cornerback concerns
• 51:13 – Missed first-half opportunities doom comeback

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is a raw mix of exasperation, hope, gallows humor, and granular football insight. Both hosts oscillate between frustration at the game’s failings and a kind of bemused gratitude for the season as a whole.
• Despite being playoff-bound, the consensus is clear: unless the defense (especially the front four) finds new life, the fun may end quickly.
• The looming Bears-Packers rivalry playoff clash is both a source of dread and anticipation—mirroring the agony and ecstasy of Bears fandom.
• Final word: The Bears survived to play another week, but will need a very different start and far more defensive “forward progress” to advance.