Episode Overview

Episode Title: What would a Chicago Bears WIN over Pittsburgh show to the league?
Date: November 19, 2025
Hosts: Dan Bernstein & Matt Abbatacola
Podcast: Forward Progress - A Chicago Bears Podcast
Main Theme:
The hosts analyze what a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers would signal about the Chicago Bears and their place in the NFL. They address the ongoing debate over whether the Bears are getting enough “respect” nationally, examine analytical stats behind their surprising season, and discuss media narratives, algorithm-driven sports coverage, and culture around fandom and recognition in the NFL.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears-Steelers Matchup & Quarterback Uncertainty

• Steelers QB Situation – Matt highlights the lack of clarity on Pittsburgh’s starter, noting Mike Tomlin's public statements about Mason Rudolph and speculation that Aaron Rodgers could return with a brace.
  • [02:05] Matt: "Mike Tomlin did say that they would starting today would center around Mason Rudolph and then take it day by day."
  • [02:23] Dan: "Do you believe him? ... I think that it's going to be Rodgers if they can find a brace with which he can play."

2. "Respect" for the Bears: Media Narratives & Fan Sentiment

• Growing Sentiment Among Bears Fans – Matt surfaces widespread complaints that despite a 7-3 record and leading the NFC North, the Bears aren’t getting national “respect.” He reads an article from NFL.com’s Jeffrey Chadiha championing this viewpoint.
  • [03:16] Matt: "There's this whole idea, Dan, of the Bears deserving respect and the Bears aren't getting enough respect for where they're at..."
  • Article Highlight: The Bears are praised for their progress but called "secondary characters" compared to teams like the Eagles or Lions.
  • [03:41] Dan (summing up the argument):

    "Chicago seems to operate in the shadows of the NFC... It's 19-17 win over the Vikings just improved its record to seven and three... For a second year quarterback Caleb Williams and first year head coach Ben Johnson... The focus on Chicago's offense shouldn't detract from the progress Johnson has made in developing a winning culture..."

Hosts Drill Down:

• Dan's Critique: The discussion around respect is convoluted, often a projection of fan and media narratives rather than objective recognition.
  • [05:49] Dan: "We were sort of entering a hall of mirrors of strawman arguments here... you start to lose where you are."
  • [06:43] Dan on "fanboy culture":

    "...my team's awesome, your team sucks, pay attention to my team—all the stuff I hate... There’s a time and a place to meatball out during the game, and then there’s a time to be level headed about how you assess the quality of your team."

• Power Rankings & Visibility:
  • [09:10] Matt jokes about trivial complaints like “Why do I have to scroll down to get the Bears score?”
  • [09:36] Matt: "I don't understand, the power rankings don't mean shit. I don’t..."

On the Meaning of Respect:

• [10:27] Dan: "A lot of this just has to do with what the algorithm generates right now that dominates why things are talked about in sports."
• [11:58] Dan: "Everybody’s a slave to algorithms, everybody’s a slave to little things on Twitter that become big things..."

3. The Algorithm & Coverage of Sports

• Algorithm-Driven Attention:
  • [12:26] Matt: "It's not someone in charge of programming saying, 'This is the talent that I want'.... it's the algorithm..."
  • [13:05] Dan: "When we start talking about an NFL team deserving of respect, it’s like somebody’s applied this college model—respect from whom for what? They’re seven and three... how good they are will be told on the field."

4. Analytical Look: How the Bears Are Winning

• Statistical Profile:
  • Matt provides a rundown of the Bears’ performance:
    • 3rd in rushing offense, 6th in yards per carry.
    • 17th in passing yards, 14th in yards per attempt.
    • Defensive weaknesses: 20th in passing yards allowed, 25th in rushing yards allowed.
    • Special Teams: Bottom quarter by net punt average.
  • [13:32] Matt: "Statistically speaking they're not a team that deserves a ton of credit or recognition... Their run game is very good, as being the third best rushing team in the NFL; that's not exciting and sexy right now in the NFL, no it's just not."
    • Dan: "Interior offensive line play… that's what they do really well. …Who’s the best player? Their left guard, Joe Thuney. Yes."
    • [14:57] Dan: “Joe Thuney is the best player on the Chicago Bears.”

5. Reconciling Fandom & Critique

• Enjoyment vs. Objectivity:
  • [15:16] Dan: "You can't be happy about your team and still be critical of the way they play—well, we know that's not true."
  • [16:05] Dan: "We develop our content not based on what's going to get pushes... that's how programming happens a lot—what's gonna get reposted, what's gonna be part of the algorithm creature."

6. What It Really Takes to Get "Respect"

• [20:07] Dan: "You want respect? Win. You want utmost respect? Have a parade—preferably after a Super Bowl win."
• [20:34] Matt: "If you're a fan of the team, then just be a fan... just love your team. It's all good and enjoy it and watch it."

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Mutual Media Critique

• [07:58] Matt: "You can make an argument for your team... I don't like that system. I hate it."
• [08:03] Dan: "I hate it, but that’s how it works. It's primitive and stupid."

Sports Media Satire & Banter

• [14:59] Matt (on boring best player): "Well maybe he should start posting videos with his shirt off and doing wacky things to draw more attention to the Bears."

Statistical Real Talk

• [13:37] Matt: "Statistically speaking... their run game is very good as being the third best rushing team in the NFL; that's not exciting and sexy right now in the NFL, no it's just not..."

Notable Timestamps

01:19: Podcast proper begins after ads.

02:05–02:56: Steelers QB debate: Tomlin’s statements & speculation about Rodgers.

03:16–05:49: Media narratives about Bears’ respect, reading from NFL.com article.

05:49–06:43: Dan critiques the endless "respect" debates and "fanboying out."

13:32–14:57: Matt’s detailed statistical rundown of the Bears’ team strengths/weaknesses.

20:07: Dan sums up: "You want respect? Win."

20:34: Matt’s fan manifesto: "Just love your team and enjoy it."

21:32–24:20: Mike Tomlin audio: In-depth scouting praise for Bears defense.

31:45–34:47: Mike Tomlin audio: Praise and tactical assessment of Bears offense, focus on Caleb Williams and young talent.

38:33–40:47: Matt Daniels (Vikings ST coordinator) audio: Frustration over a Bears kick return, with banter and ribbing by the hosts.

47:15–51:30: Discussion on Giants RB Cam Scatterboo’s viral wrestling appearance—hosts criticize overreaction from media.

52:13: Wrap-up and reflection on media, fandom, fun (“meatball out”).

Tone & Style

Dan and Matt mix analytical depth with playful, irreverent banter. They mock media hot takes about respect and recognition, dissect stats to show what’s really driving the Bears’ success, and constantly poke fun at themselves, “fanboy” behavior, and algorithm-addled sports media. The episode is equal parts thoughtful critique, Bears technical talk, and “meatball” fan humor.

Conclusion

A win against Pittsburgh wouldn’t just add to the Bears’ record—it would challenge national narratives about the team, but Dan and Matt stress that “respect” is earned on the field, not in power rankings or on social media. They urge fans to enjoy the ride, embrace football for what it is, and leave the algorithm-chasing to others. Ultimately, the Bears’ step-by-step progress—and the joy and frustration that comes with fandom—matter more than fleeting buzz.

Sample Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• [13:05] Dan: “When we start talking about an NFL team deserving of respect, it’s like somebody’s applied this college model—respect from whom for what? They’re seven and three... how good they are will be told on the field.”
• [14:57] Dan: “Joe Thuney is the best player on the Chicago Bears.”
• [20:07] Dan: “You want respect? Win. You want utmost respect? Have a parade—preferably after a Super Bowl win.”
• [20:39] Matt: “If your team sucks and you love them, great. Love your team. If your team is great and everyone loves them, great. ... Just love your team.”
• [24:20] Mike Tomlin (audio): "They have defense... they lead the league in takeaways... those two statistics are the catalyst for why they're playing really good defense and they're a seven-three football team."
• [34:47] Mike Tomlin (audio): "Can't say enough about what I've seen from Caleb Williams... his accuracy, his arm strength, his ability to extend... it's really challenging."

This summary captures all the major discussion points, insights, style, and heart of the episode for listeners and non-listeners alike.