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

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.

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

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

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 |

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.

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

Peace and love.