Falcons rookie Jake Matthews is anticipating some memorable firsts in Week 14. The team's top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft will be appearing in his first-ever Monday Night Football game and doing so against his cousin for the first time, linebacker Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers.
"I'm really excited to play against him," Matthews said. "Everything I've seen on film, he's a great player. Clay is definitely a force on their defense. I take a lot of pride in that — being part of our family and that he's such a good player. He's going to be a big challenge for me, but I feel confident and up for it."
Throughout the contest, the 22-year-old Matthews is sure to see different Packers defenders, but when the one-on-one matchups come against his 28-year-old cousin, the Falcons left tackle expects to hear a little bit of old-fashioned trash talk.
"I'm sure we'll say something to each other," Matthews said. "It'll be all in fun, though. It's going to be competitive. I'm excited for my first Monday-night game in the land of frozen tundra and all that stuff. I'm really looking forward to that Monday-night spotlight. There's no better time to play Clay than Monday night."
