Team Grades: Offense Stalls, But Patriots Still Get Easy Win Over Titans

The Titans will start Zach Mettenberger inplace of Mariota.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was diagnosed with a sprained MCL and will be shut down for the season, according to NFL Network’s Rand Getlin.

Mariota, the second overall pick in the draft, missed two games earlier this season with an MCL sprain in his left knee.

Mariota made a relatively smooth transition to the NFL.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with wide receiver Keshawn Martin after throwing a touchdown pass to running back James White in the first half of a 33-16 victory over the Titans in Foxboro.

Mettenberger missed the final three games of his rookie season with a shoulder injury, but Whisenhunt refused to place him on injured reserve or even rule him out at the time.

The Titans would be fools to risk a more serious injury to Mariota by sending him back on the field this season.

The Patriots quarterback spoke with a local radio station to analyze the victory over the Titans. Let the Zach Mettenberger era begin in Nashville.

Interim head coach Mike Mularkey said it would be “a farce” if Walker doesn’t make it to the Pro Bowl this season. I think Chandler and Rob not having to be out there every single snap has also benefitted them and they’ve been very productive, too, so that’s been a really good situation for us. Mariota’s first game back from injury was his second-best of the season, a four-touchdown outing in a win over the Saints. In 12 games, Mariota threw for over 2,800 yards with a 62% completion percentage, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. “Again, he’s never flinched, he’s never said, “Woe is me that I don’t” have this or this has changed.’ He’s just been steady, and he’s learned a lot, learned a lot in this one season alone”. He also had 252 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. It was Sheard’s third sack in the last two weeks as the first-year Patriot is healthy again and getting more comfortable in his role in New England.

He stood on the sideline wearing his helmet, did not return to the game. Mettenberger replaced him and completed 20 of 28 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns – both to Delanie Walker – and two interceptions.

“You go out there during practice and you just try to work on it during practice and then execute out there in the game”, White said.