Jordan Richards, Jonathan Jones

New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) practices on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass.

(AP Photo)

Rookie cornerback Jonathan Jones had a big day on special teams for the New England Patriots during the AFC championship game on Sunday.

Jones made three special-teams tackles in the Patriots' 36-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Auburn standout did that even though the Steelers had only three kickoff returns and one punt return in the game.

One of Jones' tackles came on a 14-yard kickoff return by Pittsburgh wide receiver Sammie Coates after the Patriots' first touchdown of the game in the first quarter.

Jonathan Jones decimates Sammie Coates on the kickoff return #PITvsNE #AFCCG pic.twitter.com/8H5lzJYwGw — Sam Benson Smith (@SamBensonSmith) January 23, 2017

Coates and Jones were teammates for three seasons at Auburn, but the cornerback still stopped the wide receiver cold on the kickoff return.

Coates' other kickoff return in the game went for 31 yards - Pittsburgh's only return on which Jones didn't make the tackle. Coates also caught two passes for 34 yards on Sunday.

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Jones and the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LI. New England will play the Atlanta Falcons for the NFL championship at 5:30 p.m. CST Feb. 5 in Houston. FOX will televise the Super Bowl.