Matt Bowen believes Ben Johnson's 4th-and-1 play call was the right one (Hour 3)

Spiegel & Holmes Show

Audacy

Sports

4.2 • 652 Ratings

🗓️ 10 December 2025

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the third hour, Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes were joined by ESPN analyst Matt Bowen to discuss the Bears’ defensive breakdowns in their 28-21 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. He also discussed Bears head coach Ben Johnson’s play call on the game-deciding fourth-and-1 play in the final minute. After that, Spiegel and Holmes discussed whether the Cubs’ approach to the offseason, with Spiegel detailing why he has doubt that they’ll spend significant money on a pitcher of consequence.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Watch Matt Bowen.
0:01.5	Bowen's a tough guy. Matt Bowen. And it's intercepted by Matt Bowen. Miller, a ton of time. The coverage is good with Matt Bowen. Seven-year NFL veteran. It's coming from Bowen, and he knocks it out. The wrenskins fall on top of it. Matt Bowen's been the guy applying all the pressure. Coach for IC Catholic football.
0:21.6	Matt Bowen? Man from Glen Ellen, Illinois. He's very active. NFL writer and analyst for ESPN. You don't talk about foot quickness enough with receivers or tight ends. It's always about top end speed, right? That's why we watch the combine and look at the 40 times.
0:35.3	That stuff's great.
0:36.3	But when we're in the red zone, the field is reduced.
0:38.1	You don't run vertical routes down there anymore.
0:39.9	So do you have the foot quickness is separate? That's why we watch the combine and look at the 40 times. That stuff's great. When we're in the red zone, the field is reduced.
0:38.1	You don't run vertical routes down there anymore. So do you have the foot quickness to separate versus press coverage or tight coverage? That's what Loveland has. You can weave a defender, forcing to expand outside, whether there's a lineback or a safety, and then you have the foot quickness to separate inside. and that's where the rest of the traits come in.
0:54.6	The strong hands, the point of attack, the brain, the shield, the defender.
0:57.5	I do think he's a... and then he has the foot quickness to separate inside. And that's where the rest of the traits come in.
0:54.6	The strong hands, the point of attack, the frame, the shield, the defender.
0:57.4	I do think he's a match-up player for them.
0:59.8	Third and goal.
1:01.0	Theo Bennett, alive and in motion.
1:03.4	He gets cut.
1:04.5	Williams Floyd's at the other way.
1:05.9	It's cut for a touchdown.
1:08.0	Post in Loveland.
1:10.0	Wow, great. Play design. in Loveland. Wow, great.
1:11.4	Play design.
1:12.6	Watch Loveland.
1:13.7	He's over here.
	...

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