Matthews broke the Falcons’ record for consecutive starts on Nov. 26, 2023, when he took the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints, surpassing Matt Ryan as the then-franchise leader. The Falcons won, 24-15. Matthews played 100% of Atlanta's offensive snaps.
There have actually only been 25 games in which Matthews did not take every single offensive snap for the Falcons. That's good for 14% of all his appearances.
One of those instances was Monday's Week 6 win against the Buffalo Bills. He played 54% of the Falcons' offensive snaps, which ranks as his fourth-lowest output ever. Matthews injured his ankle late in the second quarter and did not return in the second half.
Backup left tackle Michael Jerrell filled in for Matthews.
"I was like dang, big 70 has been holding it down for — what — 12, 13 years in the league," Jerrell said. "I'm pretty sure fans are so used to seeing him on the (left) side that when he goes down, it's like, 'Alright, alright, who's the next guy? He better do a good job, just like Jake.'"
Jerrell played the remaining 46% of the Falcons' offensive snaps. Atlanta won, 24-14.
"He knew all the play calls," Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. "He knew everything that was going on, and he was out there confident."
Said Jerrell: "I was confident. I knew exactly what to do. I knew the game plan, knew what the coaches were doing."