Patriots Veteran ‘Excited’ To Face Brother In AFC Championship Game

Sunday’s AFC Championship Game could produce some tension within the Elliss household.

Christian Elliss will seek his second career Super Bowl appearance when the New England Patriots face the Denver Broncos. His younger brother, Jonah Elliss, plays for the Broncos.

The older Elliss discussed the sibling affair on Monday, per WEEI.

“We’re excited. It’s a huge blessing for our family,” Christian Elliss said. “One of us is going to the Super Bowl, one way or the other. So, we’re very excited.”

Christian Elliss expects plenty of trash talk and a friendly wager with Jonah, but long-term bragging rights hang in the balance.

“We’ll have a little side bet,” he said, “and the loser will be reminded forever.”

New England’s Elliss tallied a career-high 94 tackles in his fifth season before collecting 12 tackles, two pass defenses, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery in a pair of playoff victories. New England’s defense can continue a dominant postseason when opposing Jarrett Stidham at Mile High this Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jonah Elliss has recorded 2.5 sacks in his second season. The 22-year-old linebacker had three tackles in Saturday’s 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.

This isn’t the first time the Elliss family will face off this season. Christian encountered another brother when the Patriots defeated Kaden Elliss and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.

Kaden and Jonah competed against each other during the 2024 season, but the AFC Championship Game marks the first time Christian and Jonah will clash. The stakes are far higher with a Super Bowl LX spot on the line this Sunday.