Commanders’ Zach Ertz calls out field at Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium
The Washington Commanders’ issues started long before their trip to Spain. After a 28-7 Monday Night Football loss to the Chiefs in late October dropped Washington to 3-5, tight end Zach Ertz delivered an urgent warning about the team’s inconsistency.
He told NFL.com’s Kevin Patra there were “too many highs and lows,” with the Commanders failing to execute in all three phases for a full game and the “clock… ticking” if they wanted to stay in the NFC race.
Now, even in Madrid’s iconic Bernabeu Stadium, the theme is still about execution, not excuses. As Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic relayed on X, Ertz said the turf in Madrid was “not ideal” and “had a lot of slippage,” but added that “you can’t blame it one on the field by any means.”
In other words, conditions were bad, but not a get-out-of-jail-free card for another painful finish.
The surface clearly bothered players, yet Ertz’s tone matched what he has been saying since the Chiefs’ loss: Washington has to find consistency regardless of venue. Earlier, he talked about good practice weeks not translating to four clean quarters, and about strong halves followed by letdowns.
The Bernabeu comments fit that mindset. Yes, the footing was rough. No, that does not erase missed chances, failed short-yardage calls, or the inability to close out winnable games.
Kicker Matt Gay embodied that burden after the overtime defeat to the Dolphins. Washington had a chance to win in regulation, but Gay missed a 56-yard field goal with 15 seconds left, then watched Miami prevail 16-13 in OT. Speaking via JP Finlay of NBC Sports, Gay said, “the ball did not go through. I let my team down today,” adding that he missed not just one but two kicks that could have changed the game.
He called the Bernabeu atmosphere “awesome,” then admitted the ending left him “pretty down” because the result was on his leg.
The Commanders are now 3-8, battered by injuries to Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin and leaning on Marcus Mariota while Dan Quinn takes over defensive playcalling. They held Miami to 16 points and still lost.
Between Ertz refusing to blame the turf and Gay putting the loss on himself, the message is loud enough: the margin is thin, the venue is no excuse, and Washington is running out of time to prove it can play a complete, disciplined game.
Alex Cora Expresses Regret Over Difficult Decision That Could Lead to Losing 21-Year-Old Speedster
Boston, MA – In what he called one of the toughest decisions of his managerial career, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora expressed regret over a move that may result in the team losing their promising 21-year-old speedster. The decision, which was part of a broader roster reshuffle, has left Cora reflecting on the potential long-term impact on both the team and the young player.
“It’s one of the hardest calls I’ve had to make,” Cora admitted during a recent press conference. “This player has incredible potential, and losing him could be a big blow to our depth and our future. We’ve seen his growth, his speed, and what he brings to the table, but sometimes the tough decisions are the ones you have to make for the bigger picture.”
The 21-year-old, who has been a standout in the minor leagues, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with his speed and base-running ability. However, due to various team needs and a crowded roster, the Red Sox were forced to consider a tough option — and that could mean parting ways with the young talent.
Cora’s regret stems not from a lack of faith in the player’s abilities but from the difficulty of balancing the immediate needs of the team with long-term development. “It’s a situation where you have to weigh what’s best for the team right now and what’s best for his development as well,” Cora explained. “We’ve worked hard to build this organization, and sometimes those decisions are not easy, but they are necessary.”
The Red Sox are hopeful that the player, regardless of where his career takes him, will continue to develop into a key contributor in the majors. Cora added, “We’re still rooting for him, and we hope he goes on to have a great career, whether that’s here with the Red Sox or elsewhere.”
While Cora expressed his sadness over the decision, he made it clear that the Red Sox will continue to look ahead, always striving to improve both the current roster and future prospects. The team’s long-term vision remains a guiding factor in every decision, no matter how difficult.
