Jake Matthews Will Reach 200 Starts Sunday
The veteran Atlanta Falcons tackle reaches the milestone against the New Orleans Saints.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football
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Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews is set to achieve his 200th career start on Sunday. He will hit the milestone during the game against the New Orleans Saints.
Why it matters
Reaching this mark highlights the remarkable consistency of a 13-season veteran who has missed only one game in his entire NFL career.
Jake Matthews has played 13 seasons and is just the fourth player in Atlanta Falcons history to reach 200 career starts. He has missed only one game throughout his professional tenure.
The players
Jake Matthews
He is a long-time offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons entering his 13th season in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons
This is a professional football franchise based in Atlanta that competes in the National Football League.
New Orleans Saints
This is a professional football team based in New Orleans that competes as a rival within the NFC South.
The details
Matthews credits his durability to a consistent week-to-week focus on his physical preparation and health. He began his career with the team in 2014 and has been a fixture on the offensive line ever since.
Timeline
Matthews started his rookie season in 2014.
Matthews played against New Orleans during the 2016 Super Bowl season.
Matthews will reach 200 career starts on October 5, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Matthews joining the elite group of players with 200 franchise starts underscores his role as a foundational leader during a critical period for the team. His continued reliability provides necessary stability for the Atlanta Falcons offensive line as they navigate the current season.
The milestone confirms Matthews will remain the cornerstone of the offensive rotation against the Saints this week. His availability ensures continuity for the team's blocking schemes in a pivotal divisional matchup.
The takeaway
Maintaining long-term health in professional sports requires a disciplined, repetitive approach to weekly preparation. Matthews demonstrates that consistent availability is often the most important trait for a high-performing athlete.
Further reading
For more news on the team, visit the Atlanta Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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