Mettenberger Sets MNF Rookie Record for Passing Yards

Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw for 263 yards in Monday's 27-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers to set a rookie record for most passing yards on Monday Night Football, per the Titans' official twitter account.

The record-setting performance was full of ups and downs, starting with Tennessee's first offensive play of the game, which resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown by Steelers cornerback William Gay.

Already in a 10-0 hole after just one pass attempt, Mettenberger bounced back to lead his team to a quick touchdown on the next drive, which was capped off by a nine-yard touchdown scamper from fellow rookie Bishop Sankey.

After the two teams traded field goals, Mettenberger took advantage of a crucial mistake by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who threw an interception in the red zone with under a minute remaining in the first half.

The Titans didn't take long to make Roethlisberger pay, as a busted coverage on the very next play allowed Mettenberger to find wide receiver Nate Washington for a shockingly simple 80-yard touchdown.

Up 17-13 at the half, Mettenberger extended the lead to 24-13 on a four-yard scoring pass to tight end Chase Coffman with 3:42 remaining in the third quarter.

Unfortunately for the sixth-round rookie out of LSU, his night ended much the way it started, with the Steelers proving to be just a bit too much to handle.

Pittsburgh embarked on back-to-back touchdown drives to retake the lead, while the Titans picked up just one first down on their final two possessions of the game.

Mettenberger still finished with the MNF rookie record for passing yards, along with a pair of touchdown passes from his 15 completions on 24 pass attempts.

Though now 0-3 as a starter, Mettenberger has done enough to give the Titans some hope for the future.