Bears Fall to 49ers in Thriller, Playoff Picture Shifts

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ back-and-forth loss to the 49ers, starting with a pick-six that set the tone and a scoring frenzy that saw the game tied five different times. They dive into the biggest takeaways from the performance, including defensive struggles, an offense that found its rhythm in San Francisco, and why the Bears ultimately couldn’t complete the comeback. The duo also hands out game balls and highlights the impact of rookies stepping up despite the loss. From there, the focus shifts to what still lies ahead. Ruthie and Clay take a closer look at the NFC playoff picture, how the Bears can secure the No. 2 seed, and what a potential first-round matchup with the Packers could mean. They also preview the season finale against the Lions, discuss how Ben Johnson may approach the final week, and wrap up with a “Wired In” segment and thoughts on what this performance signals going forward.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ overtime thriller against the Packers, highlighting a wild comeback that reshapes the NFC playoff picture. They dive into the biggest takeaways from the win, what it says about the team’s resilience, and hand out game balls after one of the most dramatic performances of the season. The conversation then widens to the full NFC playoff landscape before getting “Wired In” with a deep dive on Caleb Williams’ performance and his growing path toward a 4,000-yard season. Clay also makes the case for Ben Johnson as Coach of the Year, and the show wraps up by looking ahead to a primetime Sunday night matchup against the 49ers and what it could mean moving forward.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears’ win over the Browns, focusing on what it means to take care of business with the playoff picture coming into sharper focus. They discuss the key takeaways from the performance, hand out game balls and examine how this win fits into the Bears’ path down the stretch. With the Bears in strong playoff position, they also outline potential clinch scenarios and break down what still needs to fall into place across the NFC North. The conversation then zooms out to the broader NFC playoff landscape before getting “Wired In” with a deep dive on Caleb Williams’ performance against Cleveland. From his two-touchdown day and signature throw to DJ to the milestones stacking up in his rookie season, Ruthie and Clay analyze what his growth says about the Bears’ ceiling. Plus, the latest trending storylines around the league — including injury news and Philip Rivers' near comeback against Seattle.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor dive into the Bears’ 28-21 loss to the Packers. They break down how a resilient second-half surge shows the team’s true identity. They examine what the second-half dominance on both sides of the ball says about the Bears’ playoff push, and what controlling their own destiny really looks like with three of the final four at home. They also take a wide-angle look at the NFC picture — including the Bears playoff odds — before getting “Wired In” with a deep breakdown of Caleb Williams’ boot-heavy game plan, his big-time throws, and whether he made the right decision on the final play. Plus: the latest trending storylines across the Bears offense, from DJ Moore’s usage to emerging playmakers, and why certain late-game decisions were more sound than they may have looked in real time.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the Bears–Eagles Black Friday clash. They examine how a healthier defense could change C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s role, who’s primed for a breakout performance, and how Ozzy Trapilo fits the Bears’ OL equation going forward. They also discuss what Caleb Williams needs to deliver four clean quarters, how the Bears can force the Eagles into mistakes, and ways Chicago can take advantage of the Philly atmosphere. Plus: defensive injury updates, score predictions, and a Thanksgiving-themed closing question — what are you thankful for?

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor preview Bears–Steelers in Week 12 as Chicago looks to improve to 8–3 on the season. They talk through the latest on Aaron Rodgers’ injury, whether we’ll see him or Mason Rudolph, and how much that actually affects the matchup. Clay breaks down what Caleb Williams and the Bears offensive line will need to handle from Pittsburgh’s pass rush, and how injuries at linebacker could factor into the Steelers’ ground game. They revisit the up-and-down special teams performance against the Vikings, discuss Ben Johnson’s game management and message to Caleb, and close the show with a thank you and farewell to producer Edgar Perez.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor are back on The Charter and they look back at what’s changed for the Bears since Week 1. They break down a more consistent run game, Caleb Williams settling in, and how Ben Johnson’s approach has shaped the offense. They also talk through the challenges of facing Brian Flores’ defense, J.J. McCarthy’s development, and how the Bears can handle Minnesota’s playmakers while dealing with their own injuries in the secondary. And finally, the potential expanded roles for Colston Loveland and Luther Burden and wrap up with their game picks.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor get you ready for Sunday’s matchup. The crew breaks down why this game is crucial for the Bears’ playoff chances, how Ben Johnson’s offense has built confidence in the run game, and why Darnell Wright’s growth has been a key part of that success. Clay explains what makes the Giants’ defensive front dangerous, the plan to handle Brian Burns, and how the Bears’ physical style could set the tone early.

The Bears sign C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down what his arrival means for a banged up defense. We dive into why this addition could inject attitude into the locker room, how his connection with Dennis Allen helps him fit fast, and what kind of spark he can bring right away in Cincinnati. Then we turn to the Bengals matchup: Joe Flacco availability, defensive line pressure problems, red zone failures, and why this week feels like a must-win for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson’s offense.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor break down the stakes for Chicago heading into Week 8 against the Ravens. They discuss the defense’s breakout performance this season and what Caleb Williams needs to clean up after a shaky outing vs. the Saints. The crew hits on Tremaine Edmunds’ renewed play, Colston Loveland’s growing role, why the run game is finally rolling, and how Ben Johnson’s leadership is setting the tone. Plus: what a win with Lamar would really say about this Bears team.