Jones Brothers Ready For Another Patriots-Ravens Showdown
BOSTON (CBS) - For the second time this season, the Jones brothers will face each other on the football field.
Though this time around, the stakes are much higher.
Patriots rookie defensive end Chandler Jones and his brother Arthur, a third-year defensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, are ready for their second match up of the season in Sunday's AFC Championship game. But depending on which brother you ask, what they talked about with each other in the week leading up to the big game differs.
"No trash talk," Chandler said casually on Thursday. "Just very brief conversations."
"We've been going back and forth, talking crap," the elder Arthur said from the Ravens locker room on Wednesday.
Chandler may be a rookie, but he's already got "The Patriot Way" down pat.
While Arthur admits to talking a little trash, he is also concerned about his brother's health. Chandler suffered an ankle injury in the Patriots 42-28 Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans last Sunday, and has been listed as "limited" in each of the Patriots first two practices of the week.
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But Arthur doesn't see his brother missing a game with so much on the line.
"Really I've just been seeing how he's doing; I know he got rolled up bad last week. I'm trying to get the inside scoop, but he's doing a good job not telling me anything," Arthur said. "I think he's going to be out there. He's a hard worker."
Chandler was non-committal when asked about his status for this weekend.
"I'm doing everything I possibly can to be out there against the Ravens," he said. "It all boils down to us just getting a win. That's our main goal; to win and be AFC Champions."
The Jones family will be on hand Sunday afternoon in Gillette, though it's unclear which team they'll be rooting for. But with one of the Jones brothers heading to New Orleans in two weeks, they'll take any outcome.
"I feel like it's a very exciting day for my family. Win or lose, they'll be happy," said Chandler.
"It's definitely a great moment," added Arthur. "It's unbelievable, we're a blessed family."
Chandler and Arthur Jones:
Arthur earned bragging rights following the Ravens triumph in Week 3, but both he and his brother know these two teams have changed since that meeting, and neither will be holding anything back with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.
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"They've played unbelievable on offense and defense, and we are rolling. I'm excited," said Arthur. "(Tom Brady) was totally right, it's the two best teams. We respect them, they respect us. We know what we're going to get; it's going to be a battle."
Tune in to the AFC Championship game at 6:30pm on Sunday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, WBZ-TV, or LISTEN LIVE on CBSBoston.com! Pregame coverage begins on WBZ with Patriots GameDay at 11:30am, and at 3pm on 98.5 with Patriots Preview. Following the game, tune in to three hours of coverage on the Sports Hub, and to Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38.
