PTI Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Bears Beat the Packers in Overtime!
Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Produced by: ESPN

Episode Overview

This installment of PTI centers on a thrilling NFL weekend, highlighted by the Chicago Bears’ overtime win over the Green Bay Packers—a seismic shift in the storied rivalry. Tony and Mike break down the weekend's most important football games, dive into the opening round of the College Football Playoff, debate DK Metcalf’s controversial suspension, and touch on big news from MLB and other sports. The tone is jubilant, especially for Wilbon as a lifelong Bears fan, and spirited as always between the hosts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Most Important and Impressive NFL Wins (00:47–04:20)

• Wilbon’s Take:

  • Most Impressive Win: Jacksonville beating Denver in Denver ("Denver had won 11 straight games. I think that’s the hardest place to win in the league." – [01:42, A])
  • Most Important Win: Pittsburgh's victory over Detroit ("It pushed the Bears into the playoffs... It puts them [Lions] on the verge of extinction. ...The window could be closing on Detroit." – [01:52, A]).
  • Noted the Lions' injuries and financial concerns closing their window, while Pittsburgh is suddenly in control.

• Tony’s Agreement:

  • Validates both picks, with emphasis on Trevor Lawrence emerging as a top performer ("In his last four games, he has 14 touchdowns running and passing and no interceptions." – [03:31, B]).
  • Details the Steelers’ turnaround after fans called to fire Tomlin; says the win was crucial for divisional standing.

• Quick Hits:

  • Patriots’ big road win over Ravens.
  • Carolina held off Tampa Bay but hasn’t clinched their division.

2. Bears Beat Packers in Overtime (04:20–07:55)

• Wilbon’s Firsthand Account:

  • Pure euphoria; one of Chicago’s most joyous sports nights outside of the Michael Jordan era ("This was as joyous as anything I have ever attended in Chicago that didn’t include a guy wearing 23 in white." – [04:47, A]).
  • Bears reversed the rivalry’s recent tenor—“Packers... owned us... you get tired of it.”
  • Win seemed impossible after a devastating deficit and an onside kick recovery (“...which they say is an 8% chance.” – [05:05, A]).
  • Caleb Williams' clutch passes to DJ Moore, including the OT game-winner.

• Tony’s Stats & Perspective:

  • First Bears home win vs Packers since 2018; Bears had only won 6 of last 35 meetings (“That’s why Aaron Rodgers said, I own you.” – [06:23, B]).
  • This season—a Bears record: six wins after trailing in the final two minutes, best post-merger.
  • Suggests Wilbon should make a Super Bowl video with notable Bears legends (“This is the dream of your life.” – [07:22, B]).

• Wilbon’s Reflection:

  • After a 0-2 start with a blowout loss, never imagined 11-4.
  • “It is a joyous fall. Stressful... But how can you complain? It’s also magical.” – [07:26, A]

3. College Football Playoff Opening Round (07:55–11:20)

• Key Results:

  • Alabama comes back from 17–0 down to beat Oklahoma.
  • Miami squeaks past Texas A&M.
  • Ole Miss crushes Tulane; Oregon beats James Madison.

• Tony’s Main Takeaway:

  • Miami–Texas A&M stood out “because it was so terrible for so long, for 57 minutes. ...The last two and a half to three minutes were spectacular.” – [08:41, B]
  • Argues against including “Group of Five” schools (“I don’t think they belong in this tournament. ...I think Texas and Notre Dame should have been in there and not these other schools.” – [09:43. B])

• Wilbon’s Counter:

  • Defends small school inclusion: “You don’t call the NCAA men’s basketball tournament charity... The attempt is to be national.” – [10:09, A]
  • Compares playoff to March Madness; majority of people on his side.
  • Alabama’s comeback mattered most: “...if they continue to lose that game like that, it would have been a mess.” – [10:57, A]

• Quick Conference Realignment Talk:

  • Tony doesn’t feel Oklahoma & A&M are truly “SEC” teams.

4. Chargers or Texans: Who Should Feel Better? (14:26–16:51)

• Wilbon’s View:

  • Slight edge to Chargers after beating Dallas; both clubs are “hot” but beat teams they should beat.
  • Prefers seeing them face “heavyweights” before meeting in the playoffs.

• Tony’s Argument:

  • Picks Houston, citing their dangerously close win as a motivational spark.
  • Houston's league-best defense ("16.6 points allowed per game"), and the “defense travels” cliché.
  • Both teams are under the radar, giving the AFC depth.

5. DK Metcalf’s Suspension (16:53–19:00)

• Latest: DK Metcalf suspended two games, pending appeal, for taking a swipe at a fan.

• Wilbon’s Hesitancy:

  • Unsure about the length or even the appropriateness; wants more context and video evidence.
  • “This doesn’t look good. A swipe...I need to know what was said.” – [17:00, A]

• Tony’s Take:

  • Thinks one game is enough, expects possible reduction on appeal.
  • “A player can’t do this. ...If they get, if it goes down to one game... that’s the Cleveland game. ...You gotta walk away.” – [17:47 & 19:00, B]

6. Sports News Roundup (“Happy Time” & The Big Finish, 20:37–end)

• MLB:
  • Steve Carlton birthday appreciation; discussion of pitching greatness ([20:37–21:55])
• NFL:
  • Philip Rivers returns to the field for the Colts; reflections on his NC State days and large family ([21:55–22:39])
• NFL Relocations:
  • Kansas City Chiefs announce intent to move to Kansas post-2031 ([22:58–23:40])
• MLB Signings & Trades:
  • Red Sox trade for Wilson Contreras; White Sox sign Munetaka Murakami (“He’s 25...he hit 56 home runs three years ago” – [24:14, A])
• NHL:
  • Sidney Crosby surpasses Mario Lemieux as Penguins’ all-time points leader.
• NCAA Basketball:
  • Georgetown coach Ed Cooley suspended one game after water bottle incident; Tony: “He has apologized profusely. ...That was just not good.” – [24:51, B]
• Boxing:
  • Anthony Joshua KOs Jake Paul, Tony is dismissive: “Enough with Jake Paul.” – [24:37, A]
• Other:
  • Bill Belichick rumored to hire Bobby Petrino as OC with the Patriots.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “This was as joyous as anything I have ever attended in Chicago that didn’t include a guy wearing 23 in white.” – Wilbon [04:47]
• “Jacksonville had the most impressive win...Trevor Lawrence...he had been somewhat of an underachiever. He’s not an underachiever lately. He’s closing like a great horse.” – Tony [03:18]
• “First time since 2018 the Bears beat the Packers in Chicago.” – Tony [06:16]
• “You were afraid they’d go 0–5...You’re 11–4. They didn’t go, did they?” – Tony [07:49]
• “I don’t think [Group of Five] belong in this tournament. ...This isn’t a charity tournament.” – Tony [09:43]
• “March Madness is huge... what college football has attempted to do after years of being stupid and obstinate was essentially copy the NCAA men’s basketball tournament...” – Wilbon [10:10]
• “You can’t swing at somebody or do that. You’re a player. Don’t do it. Walk away. You gotta walk on that.” – Tony on DK Metcalf [19:00]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:47] – NFL Week: Most Important/Impressive Wins
• [04:20] – Bears beat Packers—Wilbon’s perspective
• [06:16] – Tony’s big-picture stats on Bears-Packers rivalry
• [07:55] – College Football Playoff insights
• [14:26] – Chargers vs Texans in the AFC
• [16:53] – DK Metcalf suspension debate
• [20:37] – Happy Time: MLB, NFL (Philip Rivers), KC Chiefs move
• [23:54] – The Big Finish: MLB signings, NHL, boxing, NCAA basketball

Tone

The conversation is impassioned, playful, and occasionally nostalgic—especially with Wilbon’s on-the-ground reaction to a transformative Bears win. The analysis is robust but always audience-friendly, with back-and-forth ribbing and some classic PTI banter.

For anyone who missed the episode: Expect lively sports debate, authentic fan emotion, and plenty of context on the Bears-Packers rivalry and major football and sports news of the weekend.