pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson will not be available for the Denver Broncos’ Sunday night showdown vs. the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson’s absence greatly benefits the Broncos from a competitive advantage standpoint.

But from a football purist’s perspective, Broncos Country is being deprived of the opportunity to see cornerback Patrick Surtain II lock horns with perhaps the NFL’s most complete pass-catcher. A Jefferson matchup would have been appointment viewing, as Surtain is well-versed in drawing the tough one-on-one assignments on gameday.

The third-year corner’s unique abilities have already placed him among the league’s very best, as Surtain poses problems many elite receivers simply can’t answer.

In a sit-down with NFL Network’s James Palmer and Steve Wyche, former Pro Bowl wideout Steve Smith Sr. explained that the receivers going against Surtain need to adjust their approach.

“When I look at Patrick Surtain and the way that he plays, he is the kid in the neighborhood, hide your purse, hide your keys, he has his pit bull walking across the street—you go across the street,” Smith said of Surtain. “He is not playing with anybody. He’s a guy that makes you watch extra film.”

Surtain might not be getting consistent shine on a national level this season, but that will change if the Broncos keep on winning. Locking down Jefferson would have offered further proof that Surtain is indeed a throwback to the halcyon days of cover corners living on an island of their making.

Surtain’s game reminds Smith of Hall-of-Famers like Darrelle Revis and Broncos legend Champ Bailey. That’s rarefied company and high praise, especially for one so young, but Smith is of the opinion that Surtain’s ability to thrive in any type of defensive system marks him out for greatness.