The Washington Commanders haven’t had much go their way in 2025.
At 3-7 through 10 games, fans are already focused on the 2026 offseason. But amid the struggles, it isn’t a team without fight despite what you've seen over the last month — and it’s not an offense without production.
Washington has scored 20 or more points in three of its last five games, even with constant lineup shuffling. And as they head to Madrid for a Week 11 international matchup against the Miami Dolphins, one veteran may be the key to flipping this week’s script in tight end Zach Ertz.
Or at least, provide some positives for a roster in need of such.
At 35 years old, Ertz has seen and done just about everything in the NFL. But what’s stood out during his time in Washington has been his reliability in an offense where consistent skill players have remained an issue. Whether it's been Jayden Daniels or Marcus Mariota under center, the three-time Pro Bowler is healthy, available, and does everything possible when he's strapped up to produce on game days.
Commanders should target Zach Ertz heavily to expose Dolphins' defensive weakness
Taking the layers back on his opportunity this week, the Dolphins’ defense is talented and fast, but it’s far from airtight. But what does that mean for Ertz's production?
At its core, Miami's glaring weakness lies at linebacker, where Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson have been repeatedly exposed in coverage week after week. Through 10 games, the two have combined for 90 targets against and 758 yards allowed through the air — the most of any linebacking duo in football. Opposing tight ends and slot receivers have consistently found open space over the middle, and that’s precisely where Ertz thrives.
For Washington, attacking the short and intermediate areas will be essential. Miami’s pass rush — led by Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, and Kenneth Grant — is explosive, meaning Mariota will need to get the ball out quickly. That’s where Ertz comes in. His ability to uncover fast, settle into soft spots, and present a large, reliable target between the hashes gives Washington a critical outlet when pressure arrives.
And while Ertz is more of a catch-and-fall player at this stage of his career, rather than a yards after the catch threat to take it for an extra 15 yards, that reliability and spatial awareness can quickly add up to a profitable day.
While Ertz hasn’t reached the end zone in three weeks, he’s remained productive. Over that stretch, he’s recorded 12 catches, including four for 54 receiving yards last week against the Detroit Lions — his second-highest yardage total of the season behind Week 2 at the Green Bay Packers.
In a game that kicks off bright and early at 9:30 a.m. ET, and before the rest of the NFL crowd is even awake, Ertz’s veteran poise could define how well Washington's offense executes against the Dolphins. Should the Commanders' staff see the same things we discussed here, the Stanford product should be heavily targeted, leading the way for the passing game.
If it's the other way around and Ertz remains quiet, from the Commanders' perspective, that means someone else stepped up, or the aerial attack was grounded in its entirety. Both are legitimate scenarios.
For Ertz, he may not be the flashiest name on Washington’s roster. Still, his ability to expose coverage gaps and keep drives alive will remain important for a Commanders squad desperate for something to build on.
Getting to 4-7 won't change much in terms of opinions on the overall outlook of the burgundy and gold, but positives are desperately needed for a group that has had very few over the last month of play.
It starts with Ertz this week.