Sunday wasn’t a banner day for Washington Commanders tight finish Zach Ertz. Certain, the ultimate stat line appears to be like OK. Ertz caught 4 passes for 42 yards. Nonetheless, it is the performs he did not make that everybody will keep in mind probably the most from Sunday’s 16-13 extra time loss to the Miami Dolphins.
The Commanders had been driving simply earlier than halftime with over two minutes remaining. Quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a strike to Ertz down the center of the sphere and contained in the Miami 35-yard line. As an alternative of continuous to run, Ertz inexplicably slides.
Ertz was additionally referred to as for a false begin within the sport.
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Nonetheless, his largest mistake got here late within the fourth quarter, with the sport tied at 13. It was fourth-and-goal, and a landing most likely wins the sport for the Commanders. As an alternative of taking the three factors, head coach Dan Quinn goes for it. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury schemes up the proper play name, and quarterback Marcus Mariota throws it to the right spot, however Ertz slips and the go falls incomplete.
There have been a number of performs you could possibly have a look at from Sunday and say, “If this occurs, the Commanders win.” This was one.
What occurred?
Ertz spoke to reporters and blamed the sphere at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. It was the first-ever NFL sport in Spain, and the primary on the stadium. Ertz confirmed he slipped, and whereas he mentioned he wasn’t blaming the sphere, he blamed the sphere.
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“The foot simply gave out,” Ertz mentioned after the sport. “And I simply slid on the turf. Not that it is an excuse, it is simply a kind of issues I could not management. I used to be gonna stroll in most likely, if I did not slip like that. A play I’ve made most likely 10,000 occasions in my profession and by no means actually slipped like that. Footing was somewhat little bit of a problem at occasions at this time. However cannot make no excuse on that one.”
Ertz was pressed additional on any points with the turf.
“I imply, that is the primary time we have performed right here as an NFL sport. It was not very best. And there was a variety of slippage. However, cannot blame it on the sphere by any means.”
Ertz is a 13-year professional. He is not going to lie if there have been points with the sphere. He is most likely not the one participant who privately complained concerning the turf, despite the fact that it did not seem like a problem to viewers. Ertz was clearly annoyed. And whereas he blamed his slip on the fourth down play on the turf, he did not essentially tackle the primary one.
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If you’re a foul workforce, you discover methods to lose. Even good gamers, veteran gamers, make uncharacteristic errors. The Commanders weren’t making them final yr. They’re making them each week this yr. And that is why they’re 3-8 and headed for a possible top-five decide.
This text initially appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Zach Ertz sort of blames turf for missing TD
