Weeks before an AFC Championship between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos was set, Rebecca Elliss and her family pondered the remarkable possibility that two of her sons might have to get through each other to get to the Super Bowl.

Then, it became reality.

Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss, her third-oldest child, would defeat the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round on Sunday – just one day after her eighth, linebacker Jonah Elliss, defeated the Buffalo Bills with the Broncos to advance from the other side of the bracket.

"We definitely started talking several weeks ago that something like this could actually happen," Rebecca told Patriots.com.

"Luther and I and a few of the kids were in Denver watching that game Saturday, and then Luther flew to Boston on a red eye to be at Christian's game. I drove home to Utah at like 5 a.m. Sunday morning so I could be home before it started to watch. My daughter probably said it best. She goes, 'Well, next Sunday is about to be awkward.'"

Christian Elliss was asked Monday about playing his younger brother in such an important game.

"We're excited," Christian said of him and Jonah, who is five years younger

"It's a huge blessing for our family. One of us is going to the Super Bowl one way or another, so we're excited. For me there's a little bit of smack talking. We'll have a little side bet and the loser will be reminded forever."

It won't be the first time Christian has faced one of his brothers in an NFL game, though it will be the first time he and Jonah share the field at any level of football.

His father, Luther Elliss, played defensive tackle in the NFL for 10 seasons for the Detroit Lions and Broncos and was a two-time Pro Bowler. Currently a defensive coach at the University of Utah, four of Luther's sons – Kaden, Christian, Noah, and Jonah – followed his footsteps to the NFL.

Getting to play against his oldest brother Kaden a few seasons ago, now a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, was a highlight of Christians career. During his time with the Eagles, he was briefly teammates with his brother Noah. That just leaves Jonah.

"We've never played against each other," Christian said about Jonah.

"We've never been on the field together at the same time so it's special to me. I'm so excited to have his jersey and frame that after to have this moment last forever, because my favorite moment up to this point was playing against my older brother when he was on the Saints. I remember blocking him -- he was on a punt and I was on punt return – and I came and tried to blow him up. We were laughing the entire way down and out of all of my moments – Super Bowl, big plays, all of that – that's probably my favorite one so far. That's one I'm going to hold on to forever."

As their mother, Rebecca admits she is less enthusiastic about the matchup.

"I do not like it when they play against each other," Rebecca said.

"As a mom, I just hate it. My heart hurts for them. I just feel so bad, but I think the boys are so close and so grounded and best friends, so they can be happy for each other even in disappointment. And no matter what, whoever wins, the other person will be at the Super Bowl supporting them. It's a huge blessing so you just have to remember that perspective. I need to remember that, because I can get a little too nervous."

Though Christian and Jonah never played against each other in sports growing up, Rebecca says their competitiveness came out in other ways against each other – in board games, cards, pickleball, and more.

"I always tease them," Rebecca said. "They ruin decorating gingerbread houses because it turns out to be a competition. Everything we do – and every time they're together.

Obviously, Rebecca will remain neutral at the AFC Championship, as will the rest of the Elliss fan club.

Since both the Patriots and Broncos have navy blue in their team colors, that's what she'll wear. The girls had sweatshirts made that say "Elliss" with both Christian's and Jonah's numbers no them. Luther and the men will be in custom sweatshirts that represent the NFL careers of all five Elliss men who played in the league.

And of course, with 10 other siblings, Christian and Jonah will be represented well in Denver. Jonah was able to secure 23 tickets for everyone able to make it to their football family reunion of sorts.

"This is an amazing opportunity for then to be together on the field in such a big game, and I just pray that however it turns out that everyone is just happy for each other," Rebecca said.

That's likely to be the case. All their lives, Christian and Jonah have had a great relationship.

Christian was a patient and sweet older brother, and when Jonah was old enough, he tried to keep up with everything his older brother had going on.

As they grew up, they grew closer.

"All the kids are really close, but I think if you asked the boys who their best friend is, they would say each other," Rebecca added.

That's not to say the Elliss boys didn't have their share of tussles. Likely, that physicality may have helped propel four of them to the pros.

Elliss admitted that as much as he may have beaten up on Jonah growing up, his mother is right. His brothers are his best friends.

"There's a few times where I took it too far but he's one of my best friends in the world," Christian said of Jonah.

"Now he's my little big little, because he is bigger than me. I'm really excited for that opportunity because it's not something you get often."

No matter how Sunday plays out, both Elliss boys will find reason to celebrate.