On Sunday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will square off against Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II for the first time this season. In his Wednesday press conference, the former league and Super Bowl MVP spoke highly of Surtain.

“First off, he’s physically — I mean, he has all the talent you could possibly want,” Mahomes said. “He’s tall, he’s fast, he’s big, he’s physical and then you can tell his dad was a player. You tell those guys that they’re smart, they understand the game, even for a rookie, he has a veteran mindset. He understands what they’re trying to do as a defense. He’s someone you definitely have to know where he’s at every single play and he’s getting better and better each and every week.”

Surtain has put together a stellar rookie campaign. This week he was named NFL Rookie of the Week and AFC Defensive Player of the Week after registering five tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions, including a 70-yard pick-six against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“He played really well yesterday,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Monday. “Obviously, the two interceptions everybody knows about, but he’s [broken] up some passes too that were critical. They don’t quite get the same pizzazz that the picks do, but they’re just as critical. He’s been playing good football for us all year.”

Surtain has a legitimate shot at making the Pro Bowl in his first season. The former Alabama standout ranks second in the AFC in passes defended, is tied for second in interceptions and is tied for first in touchdowns.

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