National Football League

Jerry brothers meet when Dolphins play Falcons

Published Sep. 19, 2013 10:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

Miami Dolphins guard John Jerry expects his relatives to show favoritism Sunday when he's blocking his brother, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry.

''My mom, brother and sister will be here,'' John said. ''They'd better be rooting for me. I bought the tickets.''

The Jerrys have played each other in exhibition games, but never before during the regular season.

''Now it's going to count,'' John said. ''He'll be ready. I'll be ready.''

This sibling matchup will be different from Manning vs. Manning, because it will take place in the trenches, and the Jerrys figure to butt heads a lot.

''It's kind of odd going against your brother,'' Peria said, ''because you're invading a man's space, and you don't like to give up your space.''

Unlike John, Peria anticipates their relatives will remain neutral. But he confirmed he's going to let John handle expenses for the family.

John and Peria are the two youngest of seven kids, including six boys, and they stuck together a lot growing up. They were also the football players in the family - teammates at powerhouse South Panola High School in Batesville, Miss., and at the University of Mississippi.

Peria was a first-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2009, and John was taken by Miami in the third round in 2010.

The older brother is also the little brother. John is 22 months younger, but he's a notorious eater and the biggest member of the family. He outweighs Peria by 40 pounds, 335 to 295.

''There are a lot of things I learned from Peria. I caught on pretty fast,'' John said, adding with a chuckle, ''and outgrew him pretty fast.''

John said he talked with Peria by phone Monday but wants to avoid any further conversations with him this week. He figures there will be time for the brothers to talk later.

''Our bye weeks are at the same time'' next month, John said, ''so I'm definitely looking forward to having bragging rights when we go home.''

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AP Sports Writer Charles Odum in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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