An offensive line is critical to an offense’s success, especially when it comes to quarterback play. In the first three games of the season, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been sacked seven times.

In the Falcons’ season opener against Philadelphia, Ryan was sacked three times as the Falcons struggled to contain the Eagles’ defensive front in a 32-6 loss. Ryan also was sacked three times in the Falcons’ 17-14 win against the Giants.

Falcons veteran and 2018 Pro-Bowl tackle Jake Matthews is proud of the offensive line’s improvement going into Sunday’s matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Washington Football Team (1 p.m., Fox).

“I think we’re jelling together as a unit,” Matthews said. “I feel like we’re really improving. Something like that doesn’t happen (as often and as fast). It takes work.”

Matthews is the leader of the offensive line and makes sure his teammates are put in a position to be successful. One of those players is guard Jalen Mayfield. Matthews is proud of Mayfield’s improvement since the season opener.

“I feel like Jalen is getting a lot better and having a lot more confidence,” Matthews said. “He’s got a long way to go, but we’re going in the right direction. At first, Jalen wasn’t getting all of those reps, and he was getting thrown in there. He’s gaining more reps and developing tendencies.”

This season is something new for Mayfield. At Michigan, he played tackle. Since coming into the NFL, he’s changed to guard. Mayfield knows it’s a big adjustment, but has adapted well.

“The biggest thing is, it’s a lot of big guys here,” Mayfield said about adjusting from college to NFL. “In college sometimes, you get lower schools and not as talented players and you can get away with bad habits. When you come in this next level and you play against the best, the bad habits get you embarrassed.”

Those bad habits got Mayfield embarrassed in Week 1. It was a huge reason Ryan was sacked three times, and the offensive line had struggled all game. Mayfield will not forget his performance against the Eagles and pushes himself to do better.

“The first week I got embarrassed, and I took that personal. I never want that to happen again,” Mayfield said. “There are going to be a lot of people that see that first game and think something of it, I want to get better off of that.”

Matthews’ mentorship has helped Mayfield get better at his position. He is thankful for a veteran in Matthews and has learned a lot.

“He’s somebody that really wants the best for you,” Mayfield said of Matthews. “He pushes everybody in my room through the little things, whether it’s finishing around the ball, communicating or over-communicating. I know I’m a young guy, so the communication aspect for me is the biggest thing.”

The offensive line will face a huge test Sunday against a Washington team that includes defensive linemen Chase Young, D’Aron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat. Mayfield said he is ready.

“They got a lot of talented guys,” Mayfield said. “Their four upfront are high-profile guys. If I don’t bring it, I know it’s going to be like Week 1 where I get embarrassed, and that’s my goal not to.”