POSTGAME: Chicago Bears WIN over Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28

Summary

Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast

Episode: POSTGAME: Chicago Bears WIN over Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28

Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Date: November 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down the Chicago Bears’ gritty 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field, a victory that puts the Bears at 8-3 and atop the NFC North. The hosts analyze a dramatic, injury-marred game, scrutinize Caleb Williams’ performance, celebrate defensive standouts, and honestly assess the team’s strengths and vulnerabilities heading into a daunting short week against the Eagles.

Tone: A candid mix of expertise, fan anxiety, sharp wit, and classic Bears fatalism.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Game Context & Atmosphere

• The Bears survived a chaotic, physical contest full of turnovers, slip-ups, and line-up changes due to injuries.
• “There were a lot of injuries, people slipping and sliding… passes getting batted, tipped all over the place. But thanks to enough defensive plays at critical times, the Bears hang on for the win.” — Matt Abbatacola, 01:30

2. Defensive Standouts & Makeshift Roster

• Cornerback Nishan Wright (one-year, $1M deal) got huge praise: pass-breakups, tackling, and an interception (game ball worthy).
  • “If he doesn’t get a game ball today, Dan, I don’t know who else should.” —Matt Abbatacola, 02:25
• Defensive lineman Montez Sweat made plays in the second half: sacks, strip-sack, and fumble recovery. Nearly a Defensive Player of the Week candidate.
• Makeshift linebacker group (due to Tremaine Edmonds’ injury): DeMarco Jackson and Amen Ogbongbemiga stepped up despite limited experience—“They did what they had to do. […] This is a major issue to be able to bolster this linebacking core at this point in the season.” — Matt Abbatacola, 07:27

3. Critical Moments & Game Management

• End-of-game offensive frustration: Bears couldn't seal the win with a sustained late drive.
  • “That final drive of 24 seconds, like what, what the heck man? That is just unacceptable.” — Dan Bernstein, 03:51
• Penalty confusion: A Bears-like illegal formation actually cost the Steelers at a key moment—“That felt like something the Bears would have done. Were, were at the old Bears.” — Matt Abbatacola, 04:27
• Despite a “bottom third of your roster” on the field, special teams and stop-gap starters held together.

4. Quarterback Caleb Williams: The Good, the Bad, the Frustrating

• Stat line: 19/35, 239 yds, 3 TD, 0 INT.
• Both hosts (especially Dan) openly frustrated by Williams’ continuing accuracy issues:
  • “He wasn’t good, he missed so many… My count was seven [key misses]. You can’t say that seven times.” — Matt Abbatacola, 09:46
  • “There are completions that are behind guys too…that lack of accuracy, inexplicable, ongoing, has got to stop.” — Matt Abbatacola, 10:11
• Noting defensive luck—several would-be picks dropped by Pittsburgh.
• Bears’ offensive yards per game since week 3: #1 in the league, despite “leaving so much out there.”
• “I’m so tired of people getting all upset that I’m critical of Caleb Williams. If you watched that game and you’re completely satisfied, then you’re a dumb, bad fan. It’s just that simple.” — Dan Bernstein, 16:13

5. Offensive Line & Receivers

• Standout fill-in: Ozzie Tropillo (with Theo Benedict out) played the full game at left tackle and “did well enough in this big test.” — Matt Abbatacola, 18:00
• D.J. Moore: 5/7 targets for 64 yds.
• Roma Odunze: 3/9 for 53 yds; several targets blamed on QB inaccuracy rather than WR error.
• Luther Burden: electrifying in space; “When he gets a ball in his hands, man, is he something special.” — Dan Bernstein, 19:11

6. Game Turning Points

• Critical second-quarter sequence:
  • Nishan Wright sheds a block, stops a screen for loss [23:25].
  • Elijah Hicks with a third-down stop, forcing a crucial turnover on downs.
  • “Two back-to-back plays…by Wright and Hicks…if they get to a 21-7 lead, this is a different ballgame.”— Dan Bernstein, 23:25
  • “14-point swing, question mark.” — Matt Abbatacola, 25:03

7. Injuries & Roster Worries

• Tremaine Edmonds on IR; Bears patching together linebacker units.
• Tyrique Stevenson (hip) and Ruben Hippolyte II (shoulder) both left game.
  • “You may need another linebacker. It was Carl Jones Jr. that was brought up from the practice squad and they may need to go hunting around other practice squads.” — Matt Abbatacola, 44:34
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s versatility (possibly moving to LB in dime packages) praised.

8. Looking Ahead: Playoff Standard

• Concern about looming Eagles matchup on short rest—“I’m terrified of a major market correction on Friday.” — Matt Abbatacola, 12:49
• High expectations: “There are some amazing throws […] but be better than today when you had the opportunities.” — Dan Bernstein, 32:13
• Comparison to 2018, 2001 Bears teams—reminder that playoff windows can slam shut.
• “This should be the floor, not the ceiling, for your expectations as well, all the time.” — Dan Bernstein, 43:36

9. Humor & Memorable Banter

• Banana surgery as a metaphor for cleaning up the “bad throws”:
  • “It’s like carving the bad spots off a banana. At least what you have left is edible.” — Matt Abbatacola, 34:20
• CBS/Watt family running joke, Adam Sandler movie voices, Black Friday “crotch pot” gag.
• “Don’t go swimming while wearing a crotch pot. … Wrecked them.” — Dan/ Matt joking, 51:54

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Williams’ Inaccuracy:
  • “You don’t get eight-and-three seasons back. You don’t get the luck that this team has had...Excuses and the second year guy and the rookie guy...I’m done with it. There is no more, ‘he’s gonna want that one back.’ Start being better, period.” — Dan Bernstein, 11:31-12:13
• On Nick McCloud:
  • “With the exception really throughout the game was Nick McCloud. I thought he just had a real tough game.” — Dan Bernstein, 09:02
• On playoff hopes and standards:
  • “They’ll be held to [higher expectations]...if they’re gonna win a Super Bowl, they can’t have [ongoing accuracy issues].” — Matt Abbatacola, 30:10
• On Montez Sweat’s defensive dominance:
  • “I got a sack and force the fumble and run 10 yards to recover it. Come on, somebody pick up the ball.” — Dan Bernstein, 49:07
• On looking ahead:
  • “We will be here with you and for you…building you up for the Thanksgiving weekend of Football Across America.” — Matt Abbatacola, 50:21

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment & Highlight | |------------|---------------------| | 01:30 | Opening, Bears’ win set up, key emotional tone | | 03:45 | Defensive praise for Nishan Wright | | 03:51-04:27| Frustration with late offensive drives / play calling critique | | 05:54 | Grady Jarrett’s crucial tip, breakdown of game-altering plays | | 07:14-09:02| Montez Sweat’s impact; patchwork linebacker unit | | 09:46-10:49| Critical breakdown of Caleb Williams’ accuracy and near-picks| | 12:49 | Stakes for next Eagles game and playoff implications | | 14:35 | Reality check: QB play not playoff-caliber—Dan gets blunt | | 18:00 | WR/TE performance review and offensive line fill-ins| | 19:46-21:23| Receivers, Luther Burden, and Loveland’s development| | 23:25 | Back-to-back key stops by Wright & Hicks, game-changing series| | 25:03-26:23| Offense finds way despite chaos, coaching staff kudos | | 32:27-34:35| Expectation management, “bad spot banana” discussion | | 35:42-36:31| Around the NFL updates; NFC North standings | | 38:50-39:16| Run game, O-line blocking, near clock kill | | 41:49-43:36| Watt family ribbing, standards for the Bears moving forward| | 44:26-45:38| Injury updates, linebacker depth woes| | 49:07-49:20| Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter fumble recovery comedy| | 50:21 | Thanksgiving plans, looking ahead to Eagles game |

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Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

• The Bears are finding ways to win—sometimes ugly—thanks to coaching, depth, and flashes of individual brilliance. But concerns loom, especially with mounting injuries and the persistent issue of QB inconsistency.
• “This team might be good if they can simply get rid of the bad.” — Matt Abbatacola, 37:51
• The upcoming Eagles matchup is framed as a reality check for playoff legitimacy.
• Fans can expect more in-depth coverage, laughs, and forensic Bears analysis all Thanksgiving Week on Forward Progress, with special episodes, guest appearances, and DBU drops.

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For more episodes and Chicago sports insight, visit:
312 Sports / Beer Church Brewing

Peace and love.

Transcript

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[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abaticola]

Well, they hang on for another one. The Chicago Bears in first place now with a record of 8 and 3, vanquishing the Pittsburgh Steelers and whoo. I didn't like the way that was starting to go at the end, but I'll be damned if they did. They weren't able to score enough points and make enough good plays in a very strange day in a hard fought game. There were a lot of injuries, there were people slipping and sliding, there were, there were passes getting batted and tipped all over the place. But thanks to enough defensive plays at critical times, the Bears hang on for the win. Dan Bernstein and Matt Abaticola with you here on Forward Progress, a Chicago Bears podcast, part of three one two, Sports Chicago by Beer Church Brewing, New Buffalo's Brewery Pizzeria and a historic Church Wood Fired Neapolitan Pizza small batch craft beer brunch every day.

[Dan Bernstein]

Visitchurchbrewing.com Bears are in first place at 8 and 3 in the division in a game against another division leader, 6 and 4. The Pittsburgh Steelers coming into Soldier Field today. I know without Aaron Rodgers, but they're very capable backup in Mason Rudolph. Lots to comment, lots to say on this game. I'm trying to take the emotional level and the roller coaster that I rode the entire game and keep it out of the commentary and just kind of talk through what we experienced, what we saw in the game because there are a lot of things to say and I don't want to be over emotional about the play of Caleb Williams today. So I'm going to enjoy the victory. I'm going to highlight some of the things that really stood out to me that were very positive. Talk about some players specifically that made some plays. One guy that absolutely, positively stood out to me today on the defensive side of the football, a guy who comes in here on a one year deal at just over a million dollars a year in the Sean Wright, who from game one and game two to where he is now is one of the most valuable players on defense. Not just in defending the pass, but in making plays, in tackling the interceptions. I mean he had himself one hell of a game and if he doesn't get a game ball today, Dan, I don't know who else should.

[Matt Abaticola]

You beat me to it. I said yeah, it's all fun and games until Kevin Warren swoops in and takes his game ball.

[Dan Bernstein]

So the Bears get the win 31 to 28. And you'll let me just start, start backwards here real quick because it's fresh in my mind. But those last two offensive drives when, when you needed some yards, you needed to put this game away and they just, they couldn't do it. That final drive of 24 seconds, like what, what the heck man? I mean that is, that is just unacceptable. When your defense band aided together and just you're throwing guys out there. I mean you have guys playing that shouldn't be playing in this, in this season and they're out there making plays and your offense can even get a drive together for more than 24 seconds.

[Matt Abaticola]

I didn't understand the play calling either. I didn't understand the swift run for two yards setting up a third and eight into the delay of game. And I don't mind them not using the time out there, but it was just a very, very strange set of downs. It's. I, I don't. I can't explain it. It was really disappointing. And then they took adv. That illegal formation was just a Bears type penalty that this time went on the Steelers. I just thought that was. That. That felt like something the Bears would have done. Were, were at the old Bears. They scored enough points. That's what this was a bottom line. They, they were able to get by with linebackers off the street. There were dudes in this game. There were players on, not just linebackers. Keep in mind that when you are deep in your roster, regardless of position, you've Got special teamers out there like you didn't have Roshan Johnson and losing Edmonds. Everybody moves up a couple of levels here. And who is that? Who is the guy. Who is that tight end that they brought in late? I mean you, you, you had absolute street guys out there and the special held up. You know there were no major special teams busts. You know that, that we've been really hard on Richard Hightower. It is hard to have guys just walking into practice who all of a sudden you got to get coached up and ready for a game like this.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, no, that's a, that's a great point. And one thing I did want to mention. That second to last drive to where they get the delay of game penalty and then you have Colson Loveland makes that unbelievable catch that leaves you just short of the first down because of that stupid delay of game penalty because your quarterback's too busy trying to understand what the defense is doing. They had, they had the safety shift and it threw them off so much that they ran out of play clock. But there was a, there was, there was a, there was a play there too on that. On the Steelers drive where we finally. I'm going to give a guy recognition because we've been on him all season. Grady Jarrett makes the play on the Steelers second to last drive where he tips the pass at the line of scrimmage. Made a play because you know I was going to get after him again today because every time I watch him and highlight him and keep my eyes focused, he just. He falls down with his head into the ground and gets buried pretty easily. So to see him make that play was. I was really happy to see him make that play to contribute to this victory. Now the Bears. Dan, this shouldn't have been as close of a game as it was. You have, you have the stupid strip sack touchdown in the end zone of Caleb Williams and then you have that fourth and one tush push fake that goes for 56 yards. Just. I mean those two plays were a huge difference in this game. Obviously that shouldn't have been as close as it was. This should not have been a 3 point game. Should not have been a 3 point game.

[Matt Abaticola]

Kudos to Montez Sweat for mattering. He really wasn't on the screen the whole first quarter. We weren't hearing his number called.

[Dan Bernstein]

I just texted you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, you did. Where is he? Is he playing?

[Dan Bernstein]

Am I missing him? Is he playing?

[Matt Abaticola]

I just, I thought the missing that third sack he had a possibility to be know potential defensive player of the week if he comes up with that one with it with a third sack in this game. But I'm nitpicking. He did make some plays. He. He had one of these, you know stat box score stuffing stat plays when you have sack strip is the fumble. You know cause fumble forced fumble recovered, everything involved. Also look at the tackle numbers for DeMarco Jackson and for Amin Obong Bemega that they. They did what they had to do. It wasn't always as close to the line of scrimmage as I'd like but I thought DeMarco Jackson shown on a couple plays there. But they're the. If you. If you didn't hear Tremaine Edmonds has been placed on injured reserve. So they. They're hoping to get him back by the end of the season or I can't believe I'm saying in a bear season hoping to get him back by the playoffs by the time the playoffs roll around because they're 8 and 3 in leading the division and it appears the Lions are in a tight one with the Giants right now. But there this is a better team is going to take huge advantage of the linebackers just like they were doing early. Daniel Hardy had his eyes that were. That were messed up by a couple of plays early on where he didn't scrape over. He got sucked inside. So this is an issue. This is a major issue to be able to bolster this linebacking core at this point in the season. Getting Edwards back can't come soon enough.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah but they actually they played well and you know those guys that you don't count on playing with the exception really for out throughout the game was Nick McLeod. I thought he just had a real tough game, had a real hard game to. To compete on any and of the deep passes and if, if Mason Rudolph could actually throw a deep ball, we could have been in trouble. But he. I'll tell you man, I. He can't throw a deep ball to save his life. That was terrible. Inaccurate Wobblers, lame ducks throwing up there now. Yeah. You go less than 10 yards in the air and he's going to be, you know, almost perfect. But. But come on man. It was that. That guy cannot throw a deep ball. And if that's. That's your backup quarterback and you're not throwing anything over 10 yards, that's. That's asking a lot.

[Matt Abaticola]

I know you said you didn't want to talk about Kayla Williams because you felt too emotional. I didn't think he was that good. He wasn't good he missed so many.

[Dan Bernstein]

Missed too many passes.

[Matt Abaticola]

I had my, My count was seven. How many times did you hear J.J. watts say that's one he want to have. He wants to have this one back? You can't say that seven times.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, you know, it's funny, I wasn't.

[Matt Abaticola]

Even all in completions. There were completions that were behind guys too. That lack of accuracy, inexplicable, ongoing lack of accuracy. It's got to stop. And if you, if he is this kind of game on Friday, they're going to get thumped, they're going to get clobbered and they may anyway. Would it be possible to kind of tell the Eagles, hey, we need to heal up, we're just going to take it, just take the win. We're going to stay home and whatever. Just, we're just going to go ahead and take a victory. Call it, whatever score you want. We need the week off.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And I know he hasn't thrown a ton of interceptions this season. I think he's at 4 maybe on the year. I'll double check it. But there was another one here today that should have been, that wasn't. And how many of those is he? Two.

[Matt Abaticola]

There was, there was the first one that he threw, it was covered and hit the guy in the shoulder pad. And then the second one, there were a couple tip balls and there was one that went right through the guy's hands.

[Dan Bernstein]

So that's two more on the season of probably four or five maybe on this year.

[Matt Abaticola]

Can't live like that.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, you can't.

[Matt Abaticola]

Can't live like that. Wow. And I was, I kept thinking that the Steelers were just going to march it down, doing the same stuff with those long first down runs. How many first down runs did they get for 9, 10, 8, 11?

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, remember going into this game, Dan, the, the Steelers were averaging 3.8 yards per carry and they were 29th in the league in rushing yards going into this game. And they came out and they finished with 186 yards. And it looked like a team that was one of the best running teams in the NFL. If you, if you didn't know any of the stats of the previous 11 games or 10 games and you watched just this game, you would say, oh, wow, this team must be leading the league in rushing with the way they run the football with the seven to nine yards on first down consistently. And I wanted to point out too, when J.J. watt made that comment about, oh, that's one Caleb's going to want to have back. We can't keep saying that multiple times every game. We just can't. And it keeps happening. I mean, they're eight and three, they're 11 games in. And you can go back and say four to five to six to seven times a game. Oh, that's one Caleb's going to want back. That's. You know what? It's time for those excuses to be over. You're a, you're a goddamn first place team. You're 8 and 3, you're one of the best teams in the NFC. You're one of the best offenses in all of football. The excuses and the second year guy and the rookie guy and the young guy learning this and learning that with a new offense, it's over. I'm done with it. There is no more. He's going to want that one back. Start being better, period.

[Matt Abaticola]

You don't get them back. You don't get them back. You also don't get eight and three seasons back. You don't get the luck that this team has had facing the quarterbacks that they faced, the teams that they faced when they faced them. And maybe there's a little bit of injury karma that is headed back in their direction or however you want to think of it. If it's just, if it's just the odds that eventually everybody gets hurt in this league. Everybody's hurt on every team. This league is a meat grinder and you are lucky to have half your stars healthy by the end of the year. And the Bears have enough that they should be able to compete at this time of year, bringing guys off the street into some of these jobs for them. And they got damn lucky being able. It's a hell of an acquisition finding C.J. gardner Johnson, and that's going to, that'll be remembered because he's going to end up playing linebacker for them. Depending on some of. They'll end up in dime full time. That's what's going to happen. They're going to be in nickel and maybe dime packages as a base and that's why teams are going to keep running against them. So I'm terrified of what's going to happen on Friday. I'm terrified of a major market correction on Friday. But that's not necessarily for right now because they've got a little cushion, they've got a little bit of breathing room here. And it is, I'm happy about the win. But if we're looking at what the season is going to mean and where they can go and what they can do, there's a lot that has to be tightened up. So yeah, it's great. It's great. I was very, very worried about the clock situation when Pittsburgh got it back when they did and next thing you know they're just behind field goal range. They're marching it down, but luckily their quarterback is bad.

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[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, no, he's, he's not, he's not very good. Again, you, you go 10 and under and he's going to be accurate all day long and he's in a throw and it helps by having that strong running game they had today. That really helps those short passes for him. If they weren't able to run the football and if the Bears had all their starters in there, they wouldn't have been able to run because they haven't been able to unlock the run game all season. If the Bears had their starters, it wouldn't have looked like this. Again. I know that the Bears won by three. It should have been more than that. It shouldn't have been a close game. You know, there's some things that happened that just went, you know, against the Bears. That strip sack for a touchdown defensively for the Steelers, you know, those types of things are just so frustrating to watch from Caleb, who, you know, I love so much. The guy's got so much talent, but there's so many things left on the field that shouldn't be there. And, you know, and again, I'm so tired of people getting all upset that I'm critical of Caleb Williams. Like if you Watch that game and you're just stop, stop, stop, stop, stop. If you watch that game and you're completely satisfied, then you're a dumb, bad fan. It's just that simple. That was a game that they could have very easily lost because of the way the quarterback played. But they were able to piece it together defensively with guys that shouldn't be out there to get a win at home, 31 to 28. And I'm really, really happy they did, but it was an ugly win and it's fine, fine, whatever. It's still a win I'm taking. I'm happy. I love the Bears. I want the Bears in first place. I want the Bears to win instead of lose. But Caleb Williams can't. Caleb Williams can do better and he needs to do better because this kind of stuff doesn't last when you get in the playoffs. It just doesn't.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, it may not last in six days, but Caleb Williams finished 19 of 35 for 239 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Kyle Menung, guy with 12 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown rushing game was not much. And DeAndre Swift wasn't either. He had eight attempts for just 15 yards. Their leading receiver was D.J. moore, who caught five of his seven targets for 64 yards. Roma Dunze caught just three of nine targets for 53 yards. Colston Loveland, four of five catches or 49. Luther Burden, three of five or 46. So a very well spread and well balanced passing attack as far as the receivers go. DeAndre Swift with the 1 catcher 14 yards. That got me my DBU picks on the over to come in there.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, it did.

[Matt Abaticola]

And Olamide Zaki has actually caught a ball that was thrown to him, which is nice. Durham Smyth had a catch on his only target. Same goes for Cole Comet. There was some heavy personnel that we saw from the Bears a couple times. They opened in 12 personnel. They showed 13 personnel at one point. Also want to single out Ozzie Tropillo who, when with Theo Benedict out, played the entire game at left tackle and did well enough in this big test.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, no, you weren't. You didn't hear his name called for, you know, a number of penalties or, or getting Caleb Williams hurt or beat or taken down to the ground. So yeah, he played well. And I want to go back and when I watch again to take a look at those nine targets to Roma Dunes A. And I mean off the top of my head, at least three or four would be on Caleb Williams. And that's not really On Roma Dunes A Some of, some of those throws were tough. There was one to Luther Burden that was a little bit high, but it went right through his hands. Yeah, those. That's both tough.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's both. There is, it's not a zero sum distribution of responsibility. That pass should have been caught. It also should have been more catchable.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, no, I agree with it.

[Matt Abaticola]

Both are true.

[Dan Bernstein]

I mean sometimes if you're, you know, if you're a star wide receiver and I think he's going to be seeing, seeing him run with the ball. When he gets the ball in his hands and moves, it's, it's next level Luther Burden and I'm happy that he's on the Bears despite the fact I may have been disappointed when they've taken him looking at other needs in that draft last year. But when he gets a ball in his hands, man, is he something special. He moves, he moves a lot bigger than he really is along with that speed that he has. So that's, that's, that's fun to watch. Colson Loveland again. I mean he's got again these, both these guys.

[Matt Abaticola]

I'll tell you what, Loveland is a great presenter of a target. He does such a good job turning his shoulders back no matter where his feet are. I will say, and this is nitpicking, but it's okay with a first round draft pick on the touchdown. I prefer that's a hands catch rather than he catches with his with his arms up and waiting for it. I much prefer that the, the ball is caught with hands and covered and kept safer and especially if that same play is near the middle of the field and not near the end zone. But this is, this is what we're doing with these guys now because this is a first place team that deserves to continue to be held to the standard of a first place team who is increasingly likely to go to the playoffs with this win. I believe this gets it in the upper 60s. Close to 70% playoff possibility for the moment. So it is time for the expectations and what the way we look at this team and what this season means. Are they a year ahead? Are they outperforming some expectations this year? Probably. But you only have the year that you're in and there's a, there's a lot that has to be tightened up and I'm sure we're going to get the same, the same thing after the game. We'll get all the good, better, best and we'll get the game balls and Kevin Warren in the camera. Shot clapping and because he's going to be there. But there's, there is a lot of coaching to be done, especially with the defensive injuries and some of the decisions they're going to have to make. I am just, I almost want to watch through my fingers on Friday because I. That has the potential to be really ugly.

[Dan Bernstein]

The packers won earlier today over the vikings at home, 23 to 6. So they, they take down the Vikings at Lambeau. The Lions have just taken the lead in overtime over the Giants, 34 to 27. So we'll keep an eye on how that game does end. And one thing I want to point out too, about Caleb Williams on the play, that he scrambles and runs and gets hit by Jalen Ramsey. And if I'm Jalen Ramsey, I hit him just as hard as he hit him because he wasn't out of bounds, was letting up and slowing down, and he was still a foot, foot and a half away from being out of bounds. I don't know what you're doing there, but if you want to allow a guy like that to take a shot on you, that's exactly what you do. Like, he needs to be smarter than that. Good. Get out of bounds quicker or slide and get down. I'm the meatball that defends all those late hits against Caleb Williams and says, you know, you know, where the flags for Caleb. Where's the protection for Caleb? That one. You cannot allow yourself to get hit like that because he was lucky he didn't get hurt.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, regarding the protection, Caleb Williams only faced 22% pressures. He was pressured on eight of 37 drop backs. That is the lowest that he's faced in a game this season. So it was certainly the opposite, for example, of like what, what Brian Flores was doing to him last week. So he, he had time. He was not. He only had to do his little reverse spin out of trouble a couple of times.

[Dan Bernstein]

Couple of times, yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

And he was, they were not relying on his feet. He was generally protected enough. And there were several of those missed throws that were with good footwork. So keep that tighter. Keep that tighter because they are. When these games start to matter and they're going to need a lot of points. They're. They're going to have to outscore a lot of teams with the way the defense is trending, because other than Montez sweat and all the help that, you know, Brisker could bring a couple times when they sent him, they got to be real careful when it comes to helping the pass rush. But nobody else is doing Anything. Nobody.

[Dan Bernstein]

Even Nishan Wright a couple times comes down on the weak side right on the line of scrimmage to make plays in the backfield. So I thought he again will highlight his great game. There's two plays I want to bring up and talk about in the second quarter. It's 14 to 7 and the Steelers have the ball and there is a screen pass to the left side of the, of the, of the field. Nishan Wright is one on one with a wide receiver. Another wide receiver gets the screen pass. Wright sheds the block and makes the hit and makes the tackle in the backfield. Okay, makes a great play. The very next play is when Elijah Hicks made the tackle on third down that left it fourth and short. And he grabbed and twisted the ball carrier right at the, at the first down line. Twisted him down short of the line of scrimmage. And then they go fourth and one and don't make it. That's the first, fourth and one that did it. They don't make with the, the tush push kind of play, those two back to back plays by Wright and Hicks because the Steelers are moving at that point and if they, if they get to a 21 to 7 lead, this is a different ballgame. And for those two plays we made, Nishan Wright, two on one, sheds a block, makes a tackle and then Hicks with that, that lucky twist tackle that leaves him short. That's a huge, those two consecutive plays. And then I wrote down my notes on Caleb Williams. I said, all right, cw, you got to score here after those two plays. You've got to score. You stop on fourth down too. You've got to score. And the Bears come back and they score and they tie the game 14:14. But those two defensive plays by two guys you wouldn't have put on your, on your bingo card to make plays this season in the Sean Wright and Elijah Hicks, two really important plays in this victory for the Bears.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, the exact play you're talking about, I wrote down 14 point swing, question mark.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yep.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, that was exactly because that it, it did look like this thing was, was spiraling from them. And if we can say it like this, something enough with the offense, the base of the offense, whatever Ben Johnson is doing to be able to win a game where your quarterback is wildly inconsistent, you're missing all of your starting linebackers. The bottom third of your roster is incomplete chaos. And to be able to win a game like that, to make enough plays. Kudos to Dennis Allen, kudos to Richard Hightower. It is. This was a chicken Salad out of chicken kind of game. And it certainly helped to not have Aaron Rodgers play it as much as I, I wanted the, the build up to come through. And apparently before the game he was walking around flipping off cameras. Aaron Rodgers. And it just, and then I was, I was very disappointed to see at the time that he was not going to play. I'm not so disappointed now. I'm not after the fact. I can, I can be both guys. Call me a hypocrite if you want. I don't care. But I can say that yes, I would have preferred that he played and they had that chance and they had it. But, but they would not have won this game.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I agree.

[Matt Abaticola]

Not playing like that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And if we're hypocritical about it, that's fine. Great. I wanted him to play. I wanted the Bears to shut that book and end his, his time here as team owner in Soldier Field to come to a close. But if he, if he plays and the Bears defense is like this, it's, it's a different ball game with Aaron Rodgers out there throwing, throwing the football. One thing that, another thing I wanted to point out too, the, the Bears defense did really well outside of the, the DK Metcalf touchdown. I thought they played him really, really well and he wasn't getting yards after the catch and guys were swarming to him when he caught the ball. If you notice the initial tackler going low every time and either hanging on or bringing him down. I just thought, I thought they defended him really, really well without their, their top guys playing as well.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, you had guys who were in position enough. I was a little surprised that the Steelers got away from some of the eye candy that they were showing early in the game that maybe. And I was also curious why they went tempo in the fourth quarter when they started on their own 27. I don't know if they thought maybe they were betting that the beat up Bears were just tired and it, it seemed to backfire on them because when Sweat missed that sack, you know, I give him a lot of credit for being able to keep his wind going in this game. And that was another series on which DeMarco Jackson had a good tackle. The Bears got burned on a blitz is when they hit Austin for 19 yards. I didn't mind the blitz there on third and five, but it was an interesting call for them I thought to start speeding things up and the Bears were able to respond to some of that. The best thing that happened to them, I thought was the, the, the hold by DK Metcalf that I thought was going to kill that drive, but at least they, they, they scored with to make it 31 to 28. And then I said, all right, just get a couple of first downs and put this thing away. But boy, I don't know.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, and then after that, that DK Metcalf. Hold it. First and goal at 12 or 13 yard line. Friar. Friarmouth gets the touchdown. And again, if you saw and you watched the replay on it, McLeod had no idea where to go.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, they had three guys who were standing shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the field. And what happens on some of those bunch sets is it's all communication. It's all about under, about, about practicing together. And that's another thing that you can try to do is try to mix up the communication not just with getting the play in, whoever's got the green dot, but forcing them to make some decisions and pass some guys off. So you're going to see Jalen hurts and those guys doing a ton of that on Friday. A ton.

[Dan Bernstein]

Did you, did you notice the, the Toyota commercial? They kept playing and the guy said, bingo. That's where I just kept saying, bringo every time it came on every, every commercial break. Bringo. Yeah. You know, Caleb Williams, his numbers great. He had over 260 yards passing. He had three touchdowns. And if you're happy with the way he played that game, then fine, go ahead and be happy with it. If you're happy with the way Caleb Williams played today because the Bears got the win and that's all that matters to you. And not looking at this season as a whole and just looking at this individual game and say, yep, I can go and get drunk and be fat and eat a lot of fried food now because my team won't. Great, go ahead and do that. But this kind of play from your quarterback, this kind of play from your quarterback is not going to get you deep into the playoffs. It's just not.

[Matt Abaticola]

I like fried food. I can't eat fried food.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, you can. Oh, I said you can eat whatever you want. You can, you can celebrate this win and be happy about it and be blind and stupid the way they played because they got the W. And that's, that's great. I'm happy for you. I'm happy that you can live your life that simply. But if you want them to go further in the playoffs, this is not going to get it done. It's just. It's just not.

[Matt Abaticola]

I'm sure he's going to Say it too. What I'd like to know is why. I'd like to know why the inaccuracy continues. And it all, it all, everything happened. Some of the, the pinpoint touchdown passes happened too. So the performance is what it is. He puts that out there, we know what happened. I want to know why the ongoing issue with accuracy when not pressured. There were too many of those plays where I get it, if there's hands all over the place. He's running for his life. He's worried about getting rolled up on. The pocket's dented, it's not clean. There were accuracy issues with clean feet and decent timing. I don't like it. I don't get it. I want to know why and what can be done to stop it. Because if they're going to win a Super bowl, they can't have that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Why is it happening now? 11 games in still I don't know. Why are there so many times and you see the frustration on Caleb Williams faces and his face and his body language. You know that he's frustrated with himself. I think it's a great question. I would love to hear someone ask that of Ben Johnson to see what his reply is that why is it still happening to this level with as much as it does during a, during an 8 and 3 season? Why? And Dan, you're exactly right. There are some amazing throws that happen, some throws that not, not many guys in the league can make. And he throws the touchdown passes and he can scramble and move with his feet and he can evade the pass rush. But in a team in the Steelers that were top three and pressuring the quarterback going into this game, he wasn't pressured as much. Just like you said, you pointed. I mean the numbers are out there and he had time to throw and he had good footwork and he had good vision. He had a clean pocket and still doesn't throw a good ball too many times. That needs to cut back. I'm not saying perfection. That's not reasonable. But be better than you were today when you had the opportunities to make the plays. And this isn't a three point game.

[Matt Abaticola]

There's a difference between expecting greatness all the time and expecting a lack of bad. That's not unreasonable.

[Dan Bernstein]

Correct.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not unreasonable to say to somebody there's too many bad throws, too many inexplicable bad throws. A much better team will make you pay for that and they're going to see a much better team on Friday in a very hostile environment. They've got to Be better. They've got to be better. And this is a big stage. Everybody's watching this game on Friday, and if that matters to you. I don't think it matters how many people are watching. I think it matters whether or not they make the playoffs, whether or not they win the super bowl every year. But they. They had better start this week a short week with no days off. They better understand that they have zero margin for error on either side of the ball, and that's what's going to happen in the playoffs. That there's. Bears have had some really good seasons, surprising seasons. I can remember 2001 with the Dick Giron team. 13 and 3. What were they? They were, what, 12 and 4 in 2018? Is that what they were?

[Dan Bernstein]

They have 12 wins. Yeah, I think they had 12 wins.

[Matt Abaticola]

That's what they had. 12 and 4. And then you had one playoff game against the Eagles and your season ended. That was it. And you went home and it didn't matter both times against the Eagles. And now that's the very same team that you're going to see this week. And it should stand as a stark reminder of how this league drums you out real fast. If at the very least, you can't cut away the times that you're just bad. You excise all that stuff. It's like carving the bad spots off a banana. At least what you have left is edible.

[Dan Bernstein]

You carve bad spots off a banana?

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

Really?

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, I get freaked out by that. That I just.

[Dan Bernstein]

I. Oh, no, I don't eat them. If a banana's got enough disgusting spots, I'll just toss the whole thing.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, if a half of it's all messed up.

[Dan Bernstein]

But. No, I will.

[Matt Abaticola]

I will do surgery. I'll do that.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, just cut out a chunk of it. I don't carve it out. Yeah, just.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, no, that part's fun because then you make sure that you're deep enough to get all of it. And you know, you have the margins have to be clean.

[Dan Bernstein]

Do you scrub your hands up, too? And you wear, like, a mask and.

[Matt Abaticola]

You do, like, surgery through the door after I'm scrubbed? Yeah, always. I just have you refer to Beth.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nurse.

[Matt Abaticola]

Nurse. I stand there. Butter knife. Yes, it. But they. They've got to carve that stuff away. I do think, for the most part, that Johnson called a good game. I didn't quibble with anything except that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Swift run a couple drives late.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I. That's. It's not their best win. I'm. I'm glad they didn't lose because I really thought they were going to. But again, the way this season has played out and there's no apology, you have to apologize for facing bad quarterbacks all year. You don't have to. And some of that is coming home to roost with what's happening to them on the other side of the ball. But this quality of play must improve for any of this to really matter this season.

[Dan Bernstein]

Late games today. The Eagles with an early lead on the Cowboys up seven nothing. Jalen hurts with a touchdown in that game. So still first quarter Eagles 7, Cowboys 0. Taking a look at the Lions and Giants. That's a final at Ford Field. The Lions hold on to win 34 to 27 over the Jameis Winston led Giants who looked pretty competitive the last two weeks against the packers and the Lions again. Packers beat the Vikings 23 to 6. At Lambeau was the Seahawks over the Titans, another potential playoff team down the road. The Seahawks. The Ravens took down the Jets 23 to 10. What else happened here? Bengals lose the Patriots 26 to 20 despite having I think an early lead in there, didn't they. Or maybe in the first half they might.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I believe the Patriots then blew up on them.

[Matt Abaticola]

Will. I think Will Campbell of the Patriots, one of their critical players, the rookie tackle left the game, was carded off the field. So waiting to find out what's happening there. It's a huge blow to them.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then the Chiefs in overtime beat the Colts 23 to 20. So they're there at Arrowhead. Helps them out. There are two different teams this year, the Chiefs at home and on the road. But they get the win over the Colts 23 to 20. Other late games, Falcons 3, Saints nothing right now. And then the Jaguars Cardinals are tied 7 7. Man, my DBU pick not looking good. Raiders laying 4. They're down 14 nothing over the Browns right now.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, I think mine were good because I took the heat and the. And took the points right. There were. There were a couple of points that they were getting and I think they won by like 75 or something like that. And then my other one was a wash because Kobe White didn't play. And then I hit the DeAndre Swift over on the receiving yards today. Like I said, all it takes is one play. And there it was. And you know what I'm thinking too about what I mentioned about, about getting rid of the bad, that most of the bear stuff is. Is. Is fine. That's what we're missing from the post game chant because it's not about their good getting better, and it's not about their better getting best.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's about the bad getting good.

[Matt Abaticola]

Just get rid of the bad. This team might be good if they can simply get rid of the bad. They're starting to do with penalties. They only had seven penalties, so my limit is six. I think if you're six or under, that's probably okay. And they had seven, so I can, I can, I can live with that. But if they were just getting rid of some of the inexplicable connection problems in the passing offense and, and having a completion percentage up close to where it's supposed to be, this thing gets damn good. This thing is gangbusters after a while and, and boy, I thought they had it late when it looked like Kyle Manungai was able to. To run that zone play left and come back through that hole. But the ability to run behind Joe Tuney and Dalman when you need and the play on the goal line too, with Dalman and Tuney and Jackson, I'm glad he's healthy, that I want more zone runs left.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And so I just put that comment up there from Rob who says Manon guy doesn't slip. We also run out the clock. A very, very good point. You just brought that up. And then that, that goal line run, don't leave right out of that too, because Wright and Jackson double teamed, Dalman and Tuney double teamed, and Manangai gets right through the middle and he could have gone 100 yards if they needed it too, because that was beautiful. That passing or that blocking was unbelievable.

[Matt Abaticola]

I was a little concerned by the CBS broadcast missing a huge play. I don't, I can't tell you the last time that happened that I remember on a network broadcast coming back from a break. Yeah, this is, this is the number two team on cbs. Like maybe if you're in the fifth team or where you got like two cameras and the guys have, you know, masking tape on their headsets and no mic flags and, you know, I, I get that, but that was, that was shocking that we actually missed a play and all of a sudden I wait. Huh? What? Fake tush push. What happened?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, hey, did you know that. That jj, TJ Watts parents were at the game? Did you. Were you aware of that? Their other brother was also there. He was a fullback in the league for eight years and his kids were there with his wife. Did you notice that they were there or no. The Watt family. Did you know that TJ and JJ are brothers? Were you Aware of that also, or no. Did you know that they were at the game today? That they were there at Soldier Field, or no.

[Matt Abaticola]

Did you also know that Aaron Rodgers was on the sidelines?

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, is that the guy on the side that kept showing up?

[Matt Abaticola]

Did you also know that?

[Dan Bernstein]

That's right. I forgot about that.

[Matt Abaticola]

When did the Watt family become, like a America's family? Beloved American family.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I mean, it's a cool story. Don't be wrong. I mean, all three. All three dudes played in the NFL and one. One still playing, so that. That's awesome. And now your other guy, he's. He's in the booth. He's the number two team for CBS with our guy, Ian Eagle. But, like, good grief, man. The beloved America. Like, beloved by America. I mean, since they are, I. I.

[Matt Abaticola]

Guess I'm happy for them. I just. Ever since I realized that J.J. watts sounds exactly like Reggie Miller, I have. I've not been able to shake it. Like, my head's turned. Sometimes I think it's Reggie Miller talking.

[Dan Bernstein]

You know that. That's a good. That's amazing. I hear the guy that's in every Adam Sandler movie. If you. Did you see 50 First Dates?

[Matt Abaticola]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

You never saw 50 First? What do you mean, no?

[Matt Abaticola]

Why would I see that?

[Dan Bernstein]

Why would you say it like that? So judgmental. God, you're very judgmental towards me, and I enjoy you.

[Matt Abaticola]

I didn't see that.

[Dan Bernstein]

Sorry. Are you sure you can see me from way up there in your ivory tower, mister? So there's a. There's a dude, and he's in every Adam Sandler movie. I'll find the actor and send it to you. He sounds just like this guy. And every time J.J. watt talks, I'm like. I picture that guy in my brain. It drives me insane. But, yeah, the Miller's good, too. That's a good call. Would you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Now I'm pissed that I have to look up the cast of 50 first dates and start naming guys.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I'm sorry that. Oh, now you're pissed about it. Because it's so beneath.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's not Rob Schneider. It's not Sean Astin, Blake Clark.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, he's a guy that's in all of his movies.

[Matt Abaticola]

One of his buddies, Dan Aykroyd, Alan Covert, Kevin James, Peter Dante. Who?

[Dan Bernstein]

Peter Dante. He's in. He's in so many Adam Sandlers. One of his buddies in all of his movies.

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't see him listed in the cast. I think you're making him up.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm looking at it right now. You got. I'm gonna. I'm gonna drive over to your house right now.

[Matt Abaticola]

Fine. Do it.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm gonna unleash this rage that I have because I hate Caleb Williams so much, Dan, And I'm gonna unleash all that rage on you.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And like, as. As you know, if you are new to what we do or what we have been doing for our whole lives, that the idea of just blindly cheerleading for the Bears, if that's what you're used to, you can disabuse yourself of that notion as quickly as possible, because there's a time and a place for that. But now that the standards are higher, the Bears will be held to that. And I promise you that Caleb Williams, maybe right now is talking about some of the yards that he left on the field, which is why, I don't know if you watched the Bulls game last night, but they need. They need their version of Nicola Vucevic. That's what they need.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, that. Yeah, that clip you sent me was.

[Matt Abaticola]

They need. They need their version of Nikola Vucevic to tell this team some difficult truths. The moment you're done with good, better, best, and Kevin Warren's running around with his pants off, then, then. Then is when somebody that. You've got to have a talking to, because the Philadelphia Eagles are going to put their foot in your ass if you play like this.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. And there's a good, good message here, said that this should be the floor and not the ceiling. And that should be the floor, not the ceiling, for your expectations as well, all the time. I mean, this is a team that, since the third week of the season, is the number one offense in the league as far as yards per game, and they're not even playing all that well on offense, and yet they're doing this well because of the Ben Johnson factor. It's just that simple. And if Caleb Williams can begin to execute more, more consistently and have less bad passes, when guys are wide open, when he has opportunities to make plays, they're going to start scoring 40 to 45 points a game, and they're going to be something to mess with and deal with for the next several years in the nfc. That's what I want to see. And I need my guy to step up more to get us there.

[Matt Abaticola]

Tyreek Stevenson left the game with a hip injury. Ruben Hippolyte 2 left with a shoulder injury.

[Dan Bernstein]

What about one?

[Matt Abaticola]

I don't know what. But I didn't. I didn't see the first one, so. Well, I'm sure Adam Sandler's guy is in that one too, but you may need another linebacker. It was Carl Jones Jr. That was brought up from the practice squad and they may need to go hunting around other practice squads now to find some healthy bodies. The losing Tremaine Edmonds was just enormous. And it was, as I mentioned, at the very top of this post game. Amen. Obong Bemiga and demarco Jackson. It, it took everybody a while to kind of get their legs under him a little bit and I, I do not want to use Daniel Hardy or overuse him at the linebacker position. If they have to, they have to.

[Dan Bernstein]

But those, he's a special teams guy and that's, that's where it needs to be.

[Matt Abaticola]

He also is kind of a wild man and I'm always worried about a penalty with him of something on the other side of a whistle or, or too close to a sideline. But that is a, that was a very strong performance by, by Jackson and by Obama Bemiga to do what they did when they needed him to do it.

[Dan Bernstein]

So the Bears get the win 31 to 28 over the Steelers. They are now 8 and 3 on the season. On top still of the NFC north, the Lions and the packers win. The Vikings slip further and further into the cellar of the NFC North. And I couldn't be happier if there was a way for all three of those teams to be in last place. That would be really, really helpful. That would be great. But you know, I'm not, I'm not too, too upset about the fact that the, the Vikings are slipping away and this season is just being washed away by the play of J.J. mcCarthy. So the Bears, 8 and 3, get the win 31 to 28 over the Pittsburgh Steelers at home. Even without Aaron Rodgers. It's still a very, very sweet victory for your Chicago Bears.

[Matt Abaticola]

It is. And there. I don't know who actually ended up getting the game balls, but you can give one to the whole offensive line.

[Dan Bernstein]

To Kevin Warren got one, George. George McCaskey got one.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yep. Kevin Warren, George McCaskey and Patrick McCaskey got one. And then he ran away singing.

[Dan Bernstein]

After he stuffed the ball in his pants and ran away. You're not taking this away from me. Damn you, Bernstein.

[Matt Abaticola]

His song about Brian Erlacher. And again, well, it is. It's amazing to see this team even as imperfect as they've been and as many caveats, as many yeah buts as this team has had with every win that they've had. If you look at this, look at the list. Have you seen the actual list of quarterbacks that they have been facing? It's pretty remarkable. And I'll always say there's. You don't have to apologize for it, but they're. They're going to have to. They're going to have to tighten it up. It's a hell of a win and they got out of this one with the unscathed enough. I just. I hope that I'm really glad that Jonah Jackson came back from that eye injury. So they'll obviously take a look at that and make sure that he's all right for next week. But, you know, Luke Newman didn't do terribly in his stead.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, he played well. And there was a couple plays where he got out in. In front of DeAndre Swift and Kyle Manungai for some runs. So, yeah, no, he. He played well. You didn't hear his name as far as hurting the offense. So, yeah, that was. That was good. And Isaac Trillo played well, had himself a very good game. And we do want to highlight again, Nishan Wright. Unbelievable. Elijah Hicks, I thought he made some great plays. Had that, that first down saving tackle, which I thought was a really important swing point in that game as well.

[Matt Abaticola]

Can I also ask on the strip, Sack by Sweat in the third quarter, that Sweat himself had to come back and eventually recover.

[Dan Bernstein]

Do you think he talked to the guys on the sideline?

[Matt Abaticola]

What was Gervonta Dexter doing?

[Dan Bernstein]

My man was trying to pick it up and run before he had the ball. That's what he was trying to do.

[Matt Abaticola]

His hands were down in a place where the ball wasn't.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, it snuck through his hands, but.

[Matt Abaticola]

He was like reaching. He was reaching for the echo of the ball.

[Dan Bernstein]

He looked like Rocky chasing the chickens.

[Matt Abaticola]

Dude, you're a massive man. Fall on the ball at that point.

[Dan Bernstein]

Here's a good one, Dexter, Fall on the ball. Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

He just kind of. There it is. I see it down there. Can I get it? By the time. Come on, Rock, get the chickens. By the time his hands got to where they needed to be, the ball was like three yards away and he was still reaching for it.

[Dan Bernstein]

Do you think. Do you think Sweat got to the sideline? He got the guys together. He's like, listen, fellas, I can only.

[Matt Abaticola]

Do so much, right.

[Dan Bernstein]

I got a sack it and force the fumble and run 10 yards to recover it. Come on, somebody pick up the ball.

[Matt Abaticola]

Somebody help me out here.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, Dexter still. He's still on the sidelines, bending over, trying to grab it.

[Matt Abaticola]

He's finally Standing up again. Wait, what? Well, it's.

[Dan Bernstein]

Oh, I missed the ball. Shit. I didn't know that.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's good. We can laugh and we can laugh because somehow they. They were able to put this one away with. And it didn't come down to the absolute final play at the end of the game. God, I'm glad.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, it didn't.

[Matt Abaticola]

Jason Rudolph was out there. Well, let's wrap it. I think that is going to set up a tremendous week on this podcast. We are going to be talking and building you up for the Thanksgiving weekend of Football Across America. And we are just so you know, we are going to be doing this on Friday. So do understand that after the game Friday, we're going to be right here. We are going to do dbu. We're going to have full, full slate of programming all throughout this week. So as much as this man, we're not abandoning you, as, as you get set to sit and watch and eat and do all the things, we will be here with you and for you.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, normally, and I don't know if you guys know this, but every Black Friday, Dan and I get together and we go Black Friday shopping. So we're going to it.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, we go door busting.

[Dan Bernstein]

We're gonna delay it this year.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yep. We're not doing our usual. Our usual door busting.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. I mean, I meet breakfast and then we go. We go door busting early.

[Matt Abaticola]

Early. We. We go to the same little diner and. And we, we. We get a big plate of. Of biscuits and gravy and then it's door busting all day. For our, for our big deals, I think last year.

[Dan Bernstein]

I got 37 flat screen TVs.

[Matt Abaticola]

I got 6 mattresses last year. Yeah, that was big. That was a huge win for me. Yeah, I think this year, this year I'm aiming for crock pots. That's all I want to get. I'm going to get five or six. We're going to break down those doors, we're going to get in there and I'm going to get all the damn crock pots.

[Dan Bernstein]

Well, that's a good idea because remember two years ago you went and bought a lot of crotch pots, and I know more than one crotch pot.

[Matt Abaticola]

I didn't realize, first of all, that I could only wear one at a time. And second of all, the size of the battery pack I had to have with me to keep it just warm enough because, you know, the cord, I have the thing plugged in and I'm walking around with it tucked into my, My underpants. And they're like, no, if you got to have a battery there. But it did keep me at exactly the proper warmth. So that was nice.

[Dan Bernstein]

You can't wear more than one crotch pot.

[Matt Abaticola]

I will say this. Don't go swimming while. While wearing a crotch pot.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. It was costing your life.

[Matt Abaticola]

It's bad news.

[Dan Bernstein]

Wrecked them.

[Matt Abaticola]

Damn. Yeah, it knocked out the entire power grid, too.

[Dan Bernstein]

So listen, I want people to know, too. So we have a full week of shows as well. So Thursday we'll have a DBU will be released at 11am forward progress will be released at 1 o'. Clock. So if you're in between games or you're tired of your family, you want to go hide in a room in your house.

[Matt Abaticola]

Did you say tired of your family or tied to your family?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, tired of your family.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, tired of.

[Dan Bernstein]

You want to stop visiting with your family already?

[Matt Abaticola]

Tired of my family.

[Dan Bernstein]

Or go sit in your car in the garage. Can I do that running? But open the door and then listen to one of the shows. So we'll have a full week of shows for you as well. And then we'll do the postgame show on Friday after the Bears and Eagles game. And hopefully talking about another Bears victory Friday morning on DBU is. Hey, the top 10 Eagles of all time. I can't wait for that.

[Matt Abaticola]

I can't wait. I can't wait for top 10 Eagles of all time. We are going to be doing that and obviously we're going to have Friday feedback or feedback Friday. Whichever one you want. We're going to do both. We're going to decide which one is better and then we'll figure out which one we want to do.

[Dan Bernstein]

And then listen up for Wednesday show. I'm going to have my special Thanksgiving Day recipes that I'm going to share, starting with my Jiffy Lube Cornbread.

[Matt Abaticola]

Glad you mentioned that. That's gotten so much response. By the way, that AI picture of the Delta blues musician, Jiffy Lube Cornbread. Was that a Strangles the Clown production?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, Natalie made that for me.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh, she did? Yes. It's so good.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's Jiffy Lube Cornbread. I'll post it. I'll post it on the 312 site so people can see it on Twitter. X or Z, whatever it's called.

[Matt Abaticola]

The Y. Oh my God. I laughed out loud when you sent that to me. And I presumed it was going to be in our email, but because one of our degenerates would probably make that.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, I was expecting Strangles to make like a box of Jiffy Lube cornbread mix. I'm sure he's on it with the logo and yeah. So anyway.

[Matt Abaticola]

Oh God yeah, that was great. Oh did you mention do Are we locked in on our special guest for this week?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, we are going to have a special guest this week that will it will air on. It will be released on Thursday morning at 11am for DBU. Very special guest.

[Matt Abaticola]

The DBU is going to be a special guest.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Thanksgiving Day treat for all of you. While you're enjoying your Jiffy Lube cornbread and time with your family, you can listen to the dbu, the Dan Bernstein Unfiltered Podcast Thursday on Thanksgiving morning with a very, very very special guest.

[Matt Abaticola]

And that is going to do it for our Bears post game today. The 8 and 3 bears have defeated the now 6 and 5 Steelers and we've been brought to you by Beer Church Brewing, New Buffalo's Brewery Pizzeria in a historic Church wood fired Neapolitan Pizza small batch craft beer brunch every day. Visit beerchurchbrewing.com we will have DBU and forward progress at the regular times tomorrow. Also 8:15 we do Bernstein at 8:15 on 97.1 FM the Drive, Chicago's classic rock tomorrow with Sherman and Tingle. So if you happen to be out and about and you got your radio on, you can tune in for our typical shenanigans with those two lunatics. But that's going to do it for us. Peace and love.

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