Forward Progress – Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders Postgame

Podcast: Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Episode: The Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders Postgame
Date: October 14, 2025

Overview: A Night of Resilience and Redemption

This postgame episode captures the raw exhilaration and deep analysis following the Bears’ nail-biting 25–24 comeback win on the road against the Washington Commanders. Dan and Matt dissect the Bears’ performance, with special attention to the team’s growing resilience, offensive game plan adjustments, the impact of key players (especially DeAndre Swift), and the roller-coaster emotions generated by inconsistent officiating and self-inflicted mistakes. The hosts maintain a lively, passionate tone, equal parts critical and celebratory, as they look at what this game says about the state of the Bears and their season trajectory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears' Resilience in the Face of Adversity

• The Bears improve to 3–2 after their third consecutive win, described as “improbable,” “weird,” and “wild.”
• Dan: “If in fact the Bears are earning their reputation as a resilient team... it can be ugly. But as long as you’re on the right side of these scores in this league... they deserve to be proud of themselves.” (00:17)
• Matt highlights overcoming not just the Commanders, but also “shitty weather,” “bad officiating,” and “their own mistakes.” (05:13)

2. The DeAndre Swift Game

• DeAndre Swift, heavily criticized in previous weeks, is the consensus MVP:
  • 14 carries, 108 yards (7.7 avg), 1 TD; 2 receptions, 67 yards.
  • Dan: “If we want to list the heroes of this game for the Bears, DeAndre Swift... despite the one that was blocked, Jake Moody.” (01:18)
  • Matt: “175 yards from the line of scrimmage for DeAndre Swift... MVP of the game.” (02:06)

3. Offensive Line Finds Its Groove

• Darnell Wright receives major props for his multiple blocks on outside runs.
• Theo Benedict at left tackle is praised as a possible short-term solution.
• Dan: “They weren’t running at Benedict, they were running much more right than left. But if you trust that he’s going to execute enough on that side... for whatever you might be trying to do in the short term, he looked a hell of a lot better than Braxton Jones.” (07:42)

4. Officiating Under Fire

• Both hosts are relentless in criticizing the refereeing: “the refereeing sucked. It absolutely sucked in that game.” (02:06)
• Examples: missed jersey pull by Swift, questionable illegal formation call, dubious face mask and roughing the passer penalties.
• Matt: “I can criticize the refereeing because the refereeing sucked.” (02:06)
• Dan: “My bizarro notes, question mark either means like, why was that called? What’s going on? What explains that?” (02:43)

5. Game-Changing Plays & Momentum Swings

• “The game was over” feeling after McNichols’ third-and-13 conversion, but the tide turned with Nishan Wright’s fumble recovery.
• Dan: “This was a win that needed belief... I thought this thing was over after McNichols picked up the first down... and I’ll be damned if it wasn’t a guy who would have been one of the goats of the night, Nishan Wright, that man again, falling on the ball.” (03:43–04:10)

6. Jake Moody’s Redemption & Kicking Controversy

• Moody goes 4 for 5 on field goals, bouncing back from a block.
• Moody’s odd trajectory and inconsistency prompt passionate defense against impatient fans.
• Matt (addressing critics): “This is absolutely bullshit. So shut your mouth, stop tweeting stupid stuff... Go watch the games and live in your fantasy land and be a stupid idiot.” (05:14)
• Dan: “Moody may not be as reliable [as Santos]... he definitely has a stronger leg than Santos.” (40:21)

7. Bears Still Their Own Worst Enemy

• Multiple references to “self-imposed” resiliency — the Bears must overcome their own mistakes, including dropped passes (notably Olamide Zacchaeus), missed blocks (Cole Kmet whiff), and penalties.
• Dan: “When they’re good, when they actually are good... they’re not going to have to be resilient in the face of their own stupidity...” (05:47–06:58)

8. Quarterback Duel & Caleb Williams' Growth

• Williams: 17/29, 252 yards, 1 TD (plus a called-back TD), sets Bears record: “first Bears quarterback to have 200 passing yards and a touchdown in each of the first five games of a season.” (27:03)
• Both praise and caution for Williams: made big throws but escaped some near-interceptions.
• Dan: “On that particular throw... that ball should have been picked off by Frankie Luvu...” (32:19); “He needs to tighten up. Just don’t make those throws...” (32:46)
• Williams’ poise vs. Jaden Daniels: Daniels is respected, but “At no point did I think... you can’t give this guy the ball back because he’s just going to take it right down and beat you.” (16:22)

9. Defensive Identity: Forcing Turnovers

• Defense developing an identity as "takeaway artists," five straight games with turnovers.
• Jaquan Brisker gets an INT but draws criticism for his overall play (19:13).
• Blitz schemes and three-linebacker sets worked well, drawing attention to DC Dennis Allen’s adjustments. (23:05)

10. Looking Ahead and Division Standings

• Despite 3–2, the Bears sit 4th in an unusually strong division. Optimism is cautious but hosts look ahead to winnable games.
• Dan: “Here’s their next four. Home against the Saints — win. Then it’s the Ravens — win. Bengals — win. Giants — win.” (18:21)
• Matt (joking): “Bears are going 7 and 2. Let’s go. Tell me I’m wrong.” (18:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This was a Ben Johnson win. This was a win that needed belief.”
  — Dan Bernstein (03:43)
• “175 yards from the line of scrimmage for DeAndre Swift... MVP of the game.”
  — Matt Abbatacola (02:06)
• “Shut your mouth, stop tweeting stupid stuff... small little brain... live in your fantasy land and be a stupid idiot.”
  — Matt on knee-jerk fans, after Moody’s field goals (05:14)
• “When you’re not hearing a cornerback’s name, that’s good. They’re not throwing to him.”
  — Dan praising Tyrique Stevenson (19:04)
• “Moody may not be as reliable. He definitely has a stronger leg than Santos.”
  — Dan, on the ongoing kicker question (40:21)
• “This is the first Bears quarterback to have 200 passing yards and a touchdown in the first five games of a season.”
  — Dan (27:18)
• “You could walk in my house right now, I wouldn’t know who the hell [Tommy DeVito] is.”
  — Matt on backup QB commercials (25:47)
• “Congratulations to everybody that rode through that fourth quarter without throwing up on yourself...”
  — Dan (46:44)
• “I had zero doubts. I knew they were going to win this game, just like they’re going to win the next four. They’re going to get to 7 and 2. Here we go. Super Bowl this year.”
  — Matt, tongue-in-cheek optimism (46:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• DeAndre Swift’s Breakout/Offensive Line Praise: 01:18–02:18, 07:42–08:18
• Ref Criticism/Weird Calls: 02:43–03:43, 07:22–07:40
• Resilience & Stupid Mistakes: 05:47–06:58, 11:46–12:56
• Moody/Kicker Rant: 04:49–05:14, 39:29–40:38
• QB Discussion (Williams & Daniels): 16:05–17:06, 27:03–27:30, 32:19–32:46
• Defensive Identity & Three-Linebacker Looks: 19:40–21:46, 23:05–23:33
• Looking Ahead to Next Games/Standing Realities: 18:21–18:45, 36:50–37:13
• Broadcast/Commentators Tangent: 44:33–45:43
• Joy of Unexpected Bears Win/Sign-Off Banter: 29:02–29:39, 46:44–47:51

Final Thoughts

Dan and Matt leave listeners with a mix of hope and realism. They recognize the continued need for improvement — “stop being stupid and stop dropping balls and stop lining up off sides” (19:40) — even as they soak in the rare post-bye week joy. The episode is a must-listen for fans who want authentic analysis paired with honest, cathartic Bears fandom.

For More:
Find Forward Progress and related shows on 312Sports.com, YouTube, or wherever you get podcasts. Follow Dan and Matt for daily Chicago sports talk, top-10 lists, and more.