Running Game Dominates, Defense Collapses, Bears Survive: Vikings Recap Artwork

The Shawn Mackey Show

As we journey through life, we are often shaped by our culture and the society in which we live. We absorb bits and pieces from several differing aspects of what life throws at us.

We use those pieces to build, mold, and shape who we become, from our way of thinking and believing, right down to how we handle life's obstacles as they greet us on a daily basis.

Take a walk with me and discover a different side of Chicago sports talk, the shit that pisses me off, and all the dumbass shit I've done as I've stumbled through this crazy thing called life!

All Episodes

The Shawn Mackey Show

Running Game Dominates, Defense Collapses, Bears Survive: Vikings Recap

November 23, 2025 • Shawn Mackey • Season 2 • Episode 16

Tell me your thoughts. Leave some Fan Mail

SUMMARY

This episode recaps the Bears’ dramatic 19–17 comeback win over the Vikings, highlighted by Cairo Santos’ game-winning 48-yard field goal. Shawn praises the defense’s strong second half but criticizes their late-game collapse that nearly cost Chicago the victory. Caleb Williams had an up-and-down performance but continues showing signs he may eventually become a reliable franchise quarterback. The Bears’ running game—led by De’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai—earned major recognition, while Naishon Wright and Kevin Byard delivered key interceptions. Shawn also questions the Bears' decision to let kicker Jake Moody walk. The episode ends with a tribute to Forgotten NFL Legend Marion Motley, one of the first Black players to break the NFL’s color barrier.

TAKEAWAYS

The Bears beat the Vikings 19–17 thanks to a last-second 48-yard field goal by Cairo Santos.
Shawn disagrees with Santos receiving the game ball due to an earlier missed 45-yard kick.
Caleb Williams showed both flaws and flashes, finishing 16/32 with 180 yards and no turnovers.
Rome Odunze saved a crucial fumble recovery after a messy handoff play.
De’Andre Swift led the offense with 90 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Kyle Monangai continues emerging as a physical, short-yardage weapon with a touchdown.
Kevin Byard recorded his league-leading fifth interception; Naishon Wright grabbed a clutch red-zone pick.
The Bears' fourth-quarter defense struggled badly, nearly giving the game away.
Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard kickoff return set up the game-winning field goal.
The episode’s Forgotten NFL Legend is Marion Motley, a pioneer who helped break pro football’s color barrier and became a dominant fullback for the Cleveland Browns.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573926424925

Season two, episode sixteen of The Shawn Mackey Show breaks down the Bears vs. Vikings matchup, another wild comeback victory for Chicago sealed by a Cairo Santos 48-yard field goal. Although Santos delivered the winner, Shawn disagrees with him receiving the game ball after missing an earlier 45-yard attempt that should have put the Bears ahead sooner. Chicago escapes with a 19–17 win, improving on a game where the defense shined in the second half—until a rough final drive.

Shawn stays honest about Caleb Williams, admitting he’s still on the fence but starting to see flashes of what a franchise quarterback might look like. Williams went 16 of 32 for 180 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions, but he did lose a fumble that Rome Odunze heroically recovered. Despite inconsistent passing, Williams avoided crushing mistakes and helped keep the Bears in position to win late.

De’Andre Swift delivered another strong showing with 21 carries for 90 yards, while Kyle Monangai added a bruising presence and a touchdown. Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet made key contributions, with Kmet catching all five of his targets for 45 yards. Rookie wideout Luther Burden is seeing increased playing time after Zaccheaus’ recent struggles.

On defense, Kevin Byard added his league-leading fifth interception, while Naishon Wright made a huge end-zone pick dedicated to his late coach John Beam. Injuries continue to affect the Bears, with Tremaine Edmunds out and multiple defenders uncertain for the Steelers matchup.

Shawn calls out the Bears’ entire fourth-quarter defense as one of his “chumps,” along with Cairo Santos for the earlier missed field goal and Nick McCloud for giving up a critical fourth-and-four conversion that extended Minnesota’s go-ahead drive. On the “champs” side, the running game earns major praise, along with Wright, Byard, Cole Kmet, and Devin Duvernay for his clutch 56-yard kickoff return that set up the win.

Shawn also reflects on what fans really want in a franchise quarterback, noting Chicago’s long history of instability at the position. He argues that sometimes a consistent winner is more valuable than a flashy stat-producer who never gets over the hump. That leads to commentary on Caleb Williams’ development and what true long-term QB success looks like.

The episode closes with the weekly Forgotten NFL Legend segment, spotlighting Marion Motley — a powerful, groundbreaking back who, along with Bill Willis, helped break pro football’s color barrier before the Browns joined the NFL. Motley went from steel mill worker to Pro Football Hall of Famer after convincing Paul Brown to give him a tryout, ultimately becoming one of the most influential players of the sport’s early modern era.