NFL hands Falcons veteran $11,941 fine after costly Panthers penalty

Atlanta Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews has been fined $11,941 by the NFL following a facemask penalty during his team's 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. The unnecessary roughness infraction occurred with 5:48 remaining in the second quarter, wiping out a 25-yard pass from Cooper Rush to Drake London.

The fine matches the league's standard penalty for a first facemask violation. Atlanta managed only a 41-yard Nick Folk field goal on that possession before Bryce Young led a touchdown drive to Darren Waller, leaving Carolina up 20-3 at halftime amid a five-turnover Falcons performance.