Forward Progress: Chicago Bears Lose to Green Bay Packers 28-21

Podcast: Forward Progress – A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola
Date: December 8, 2025
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

Episode Overview

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Chicago Bears’ 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite dropping the Bears to 9-4 and ceding the NFC North lead to Green Bay, the hosts provide a nuanced analysis of key plays, coaching decisions, and player performances. They highlight the Bears’ resilient second-half performance, the evolution of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, and where the team stands headed into the final stretch of the season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Game Flow & Turning Points

• Slow Start, Strong Finish

  • The Bears fell behind due to blown coverages and first-half struggles, including a 45-yard Packers TD after busted coverage.
    • “The fact that they had to dig out… that 45-yard touchdown when they got… caught him in busted coverage and Bo Melton gets the touchdown. You think about the way that changed the complexion of the game.” (02:01, Dan)
  • In the second half, the Bears made notable adjustments on both sides of the ball:
    • “They made their proper adjustments… They knew what they had to do. They stuck with what they had to do.” (08:49, Dan)

• Key Sequence - Final Drive

  • Caleb Williams just misses a late pass to Cole Kmet, ending their final comeback attempt:
    • “That last pass that Caleb Williams threw, you had Cole Kmet, he got behind the defense. He just didn't get enough on the ball… as disappointing as that was, that second half was what I want to see from Caleb Williams.” (01:00, Matt)

Caleb Williams’ Growth & Performance

• Encouraging Resilience

  • “That is the quarterback that I want to see consistently make plays for my Chicago Bears. That's the kid I was waiting to see.” (01:21, Matt)
  • “So much of his success in the second half was him moving sideways… scrambling and so many terrific plays that he made, just coming up with stuff on the move.” (02:07, Dan)

• Stats & Key Throws

  • Williams: 19 of 35, 186 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
  • “As I was going through the numbers, while Caleb Williams started 0 for 5 and did continue to have some accuracy problems… he threw the ball away in several cases… there were some really intelligent throwaways.” (08:49, Dan)

• Pocket Poise vs. Creativity

  • Discussion on balancing designed offense with Caleb’s improvisation:
    • “How do you allow and continue to allow for the possibility of these? I don't want his creativity taken out… but I also know that the design of the offense is to win from the pocket with timing and accuracy…” (29:13, Dan)

Offensive Adjustments & Ben Johnson’s Playcalling

• Run Game Commitment

  • “As we discussed throughout the week, a commitment to the run game is just that. Sometimes you don't begin to see the fruits until later on.” (08:03, Dan)

• Second-Half O-Line Play

  • “Whatever adjustments they made or whatever they talked about in the locker room at halftime, the offensive line came out and they were a different unit in the second half. Dominated.” (07:10, Matt)

• Playcalling "Getting Cute"

  • “Maybe Ben Johnson got a little cute with the play calling in this game, but the other thing… This was a game where he tried a couple tricky, silly things, but while they were pounding at the midsection the entire time also.” (17:53, Dan)

Defensive Struggles & Injuries

• Key Defensive Breakdowns

  • “I just wish they could have tackled better. So much of what Ben Johnson was figuring out was undone by poor tackling.” (03:47, Dan)
  • “Missed tackles on Josh Jacobs… He got through four guys somehow got hands on him.” (04:07, Matt)

• Player Health Concerns

  • “Is Jalen [Johnson] okay? Because he just did not look okay… I hope he's okay. But he didn't seem okay today.” (04:49, Matt)
  • Pre-game loss of Kyler Gordon (groin in warmups) severely affected the already injured secondary.

• Montez Sweat’s Performance

  • “It hasn't been [good enough] and it's not going to be… If they're going to win a playoff game, they've got to get off blocks and up the field and disrupt.” (21:01, Dan)
  • “He's paid as an elite pass rusher on the edge. He's just not that speed edge guy… Let's not say that he sucks. He doesn't suck… He's slow.” (21:31, Matt)

Notable Player Performances

• Kyle Manungai: Took a lot of hits, led the team in carries. “That boy’s gonna be sore. 14 carries for 57 yards, but he just takes an absolute pounding.” (05:36, Dan)
• Cole Kmet: Made important catches but criticized for immediately falling down after reception.
  • “Is he required to fall immediately? Because he could catch and run. It’s not illegal… but it seems like he has to catch it and fall down immediately.” (24:25, Matt)
• DJ Moore: Not himself, looked off physically/mentally.
  • “Can we please… stop getting the ball or trying to get the ball to DJ Moore behind the line of scrimmage? Just stop doing that.” (10:37, Matt)
• Luther Burden & Colston Loveland: Emerging as go-to targets; Loveland’s evolving role highlighted.
  • “If in fact the Bears win playoff games, Loveland is going to be a big part of it… the way he's able to create mismatches… starting to get a look at why [Johnson] drafted him.” (22:38, Dan)

Officiating Frustrations

• “Another play where Caleb Williams gives himself up by sliding and still gets hit in the head. I just. I just don't understand why that keeps happening.” (11:23, Matt)
• Missed flag for illegal hit on eligible receiver Theo Benedict.

Playoff Picture & Perspective

• Glass Half-Full View

  • “If these two teams were out there for another two quarters, I think the Bears would have pulled away… It just got it too late going.” (12:47, Dan)
  • “If you have any questions about if. Is this a real football team in this NFL? Is this a good team? You're goddamn right they're a good team.” (15:09, Matt)

• Still In Control

  • Bears now 9-4, moved down to NFC's 7th seed, but hosts are optimistic.
  • “This is a team that can win playoff games. I believe they are that good of a team.” (43:48, Matt)

• Looking Forward

  • Four games remaining: Browns, Packers, 49ers, Lions.
  • “If this is a year early, if they are better than they were supposed to be, that’s okay… We’re going to keep the expectations high.” (44:19, Dan)

Statistics & Notable Moments

Chicago Bears: Key Stats

• Caleb Williams: 19/35, 186 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Leading rushers: DeAndre Swift (13-63), Kyle Manungai (14-57), Caleb Williams (4-15)
• Receiving: Luther Burden (4 rec/6 targets), Cole Kmet (2/42), Colston Loveland (4/29, TD), Devin Duvernay (1 catch)

Possession & Efficiency

• Bears: 68 plays, 304 yards, 4.6 YPP
• Packers: 52 plays, 326 yards, 6.5 YPP
• Bears had over 7 more minutes in possession, but fewer explosive plays.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Bears' Second Half Comeback:
  “I was very encouraged with the second half of that game… That is what I’m talking about for Caleb Williams. That is the quarterback that I want to see.” (01:10, Matt)

• On Not Feeling Bad About the Loss:
  “I need to determine why I don’t feel as bad about this loss as I think I should… there was so much positive energy in that second half.” (12:06, Dan)

• On Classic Bears-Packers Slant Route Failures:
  “What passing route killed us… it’s always against the Packers. Slant, fucking slant routes.” (14:15, Matt)

• On Moral Victories:
  “Please don’t misconstrue this as setting a low bar or saying, hooray participation trophy. I’m not. They lost. And it sucks that they lost.” (15:09, Dan)

• On the Future:
  “You can see it from here. And I know Ben Johnson can see little bits here and there. And if this is a year early, if they are better than they were supposed to be, that’s okay. But we’re going to keep the expectations high.” (44:19, Dan)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:19] – Emotional recap, Bears’ loss and playoff standing
• [01:00 - 02:07] – Second-half adjustments, Caleb Williams’ rise
• [03:47 - 04:49] – Missed tackles, Jalen Johnson and defensive setbacks
• [05:36 - 08:03] – Team stats, offensive line and run game strategy
• [10:37 - 11:23] – DJ Moore’s struggles and officiating complaints
• [17:53] – Ben Johnson’s playcalling philosophy
• [22:38 - 24:42] – Loveland’s importance, Kmet’s catch/fall-after flaw
• [29:13 - 34:28] – Philosophy on Caleb Williams’ play style vs. system
• [43:00+] – Playoff implications, final takeaways on team progress

Closing Thoughts

Dan and Matt close the show with optimistic realism: the Bears are evolving into a playoff-caliber team, even if they’re not yet elite. While missed tackles, injuries, and a slow start cost them a win against Green Bay, the adjustments, coaching resilience, and Caleb Williams’ maturation provide strong hope for the remainder of the season and future showdowns—especially the impending rematch with the Packers.

Related Programming Note

• Matt Miller (NFL Draft Scout, ESPN) to join Forward Progress every Wednesday throughout the rest of the season, bringing additional analysis and draft insight.

This summary captures the passion, insight, and entertaining tone of the hosts while surfacing the most important game analysis and broader implications for Bears fans and general NFL listeners alike.