Zach Ertz explains what happened on potential go-ahead touchdown in Week 11 loss

Sunday wasn't a banner day for Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz. Sure, the final stat line looks OK. Ertz caught four passes for 42 yards. However, it's the plays he didn't make that everyone will remember the most from Sunday's 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins.

The Commanders were driving just before halftime with over two minutes remaining. Quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a strike to Ertz down the middle of the field and inside the Miami 35-yard line. Instead of continuing to run, Ertz inexplicably slides.

Zach Ertz has had a nice half. I’m not sure why he automatically slid here. Not a clock situation.

There’s space to rumble for some yards and turn this into a big play. WSH so desperately needs some post-catch play making at TE and WR. pic.twitter.com/l7n1RTUxXK— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 16, 2025

Ertz was also called for a false start in the game.

However, his biggest mistake came late in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 13. It was fourth-and-goal, and a touchdown probably wins the game for the Commanders. Instead of taking the three points, head coach Dan Quinn goes for it. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury schemes up the perfect play call, and quarterback Marcus Mariota throws it to the correct spot, but Ertz slips and the pass falls incomplete.

4th and goal - Ertz slips on the route and the ball goes incomplete.

Another redzone misfire. pic.twitter.com/vMVpK2bSuq— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) November 16, 2025

There were several plays you could look at from Sunday and say, "If this happens, the Commanders win." This was one.

What happened?

Ertz spoke to reporters and blamed the field at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It was the first-ever NFL game in Spain, and the first at the stadium. Ertz confirmed he slipped, and while he said he wasn't blaming the field, he blamed the field.

"The foot just gave out," Ertz said after the game. "And I just slid on the turf. Not that it's an excuse, it's just one of those things I couldn't control. I was gonna walk in probably, if I didn't slip like that. A play I've made probably 10,000 times in my career and never really slipped like that. Footing was a little bit of a challenge at times today. But can't make no excuse on that one."

Ertz was pressed further on any issues with the turf.

"I mean, this is the first time we've played here as an NFL game. It was not ideal. And there was a lot of slippage. But, can't blame it on the field by any means."

Zach Ertz on the fourth down slip: pic.twitter.com/yAmIpLJb0w— John Keim (@john_keim) November 16, 2025

Ertz is a 13-year pro. He's not going to lie if there were issues with the field. He's probably not the only player who privately complained about the turf, even though it didn't appear to be an issue to viewers. Ertz was clearly frustrated. And while he blamed his slip on the fourth down play on the turf, he didn't necessarily address the first one.

When you're a bad team, you find ways to lose. Even good players, veteran players, make uncharacteristic mistakes. The Commanders weren't making them last year. They're making them every week this year. And that's why they're 3-8 and headed for a potential top-five pick.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Zach Ertz sort of blames turf for missing TD