Aaron Hernandez & Chandler Jones need to step up for post-season

Two key players for the Patriots, Aaron Hernandez and Chandler Jones, have not been playing as well as they usually do.

The Patriots have never have had a problem with their tight ends, but recently with Aaron Hernandez (who usually plays superbly) they might have to worry. Hernandez dropped 6 passes in the last three games of the regular season. Hernandez usually performs extremely well and is one of Tom Brady's go-to guys to get the football down the field, but it's very scary when am important player like Hernandez isn't doing as well as he usually does.

@inthistweet agility, speed, actually catching the ball and not dropping 6 passes in past 3 games
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) January 2, 2013

Chandler Jones (defensive end, #95) has been in a slump as well. He was being seriously considered to become a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year earlier this season, but an ankle injury in November caused his numbers to fall. He has gotten 1 quarterback hit since the end of October. Quarterback hits are essential for post-season games, since most of the teams have excellent QB's.

Chandler Jones sacking Peyton Manning

There could be many reasons why these two players are in a slump, but in order for the Patriots to do well in the post-season they need to find a way to get out of it. The outcome of any future Patriots games could be affected if these two players don't find a solution for what's keeping them from playing as well as they usually do.