New England Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr believes that Geno Smith is currently playing like a top 10 quarterback in the NFL this season, as he stated to reporters after practice on Thursday, per the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed.

Smith’s early-season play has made him a difficult challenge for opposing defenses to contain. Through the first five weeks of the year, Smith has completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 1,084 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.

He is averaging 216.8 passing yards per game, 7.4 yards per attempt and has taken 16 sacks for a league-worst 134 yards lost. He has been strikingly accurate, and his ability to make plays in a variety of ways adds to the threat that he poses to New England and the rest of the league.

The veteran Smith’s efficiency and lack of interceptions thrown through five weeks is what has been most impressive about his game thus far this year. He also brings a capable rushing dimension that makes him more challenging to defend.

Kuhr will be tasked with containing him with his defense, which will welcome back star cornerback Christian Gonzalez for the matchup. They also have an overachieving edge rush unit with Elijah Ponder, Gabe Jacas and Dre'Mont Jones.

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