Injuries have stacked on the side of the Atlanta Falcons during Monday Night Football. Edge rusher Za'Darius Smith exited with a concussion against the New Orleans Saints. Now Jake Matthews needed to leave amid his NFL Injury.

Matthews left with a groin injury late in the first half of the game, making him questionable to return. But his injury sparked a new concern, which NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport brought up.

“This is his 200th start and he hasn’t missed a game since 2014,” Rapoport posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

So now Matthews' consecutive playing streak is in jeopardy. But his Falcons looked very much in control despite his injury.

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Atlanta compiled 255 total yards by halftime. The Falcons hit the Saints with an even mix of runs and throws, hitting 138 yards through the former and 117 via the latter. Atlanta averaged 6.9 yards per play too on offense.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looked efficient on the field, completing 10 passes on 15 attempts and hitting 125 yards. Running back Bijan Robinson delivered some electric efficiency too, hitting 12 carries for 103 yards and scoring twice on the annual NFC South rivals. Wide receiver Drake London neared 100 yards as well by catching four passes for 82 yards.

Atlanta clamped down on defense too, holding the Saints to just 15 yards rushing to close out the first half. This despite Alvin Kamara punching in an early second quarter touchdown that sliced the lead to 14-7. Both teams even converted the same amount of third downs at 2-of-6. Except Atlanta has 15 first downs compared to the Saints' seven. Now head coach Kevin Stefanski must lean into a Matthews-less offensive line.