Since being acquired by the New England Patriots, former Pro Bowl wide receiver Josh Gordon has performed at an elite level with the franchise stepping in as one of their top receivers in the passing game.

The manner in which Gordon has played in a Patriots' uniform has caught the attention of Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, who has voiced prior to their Week 13 matchup that he believes he is playing at a similar level to his breakout 2013 campaign with the Cleveland Browns, according to Doug Kyed of NESN.com.

“Yeah, it’s hard for me to remember back then, but he’s always been very explosive, catches the ball well, great speed,” Zimmer said Wednesday on a conference call. “I think he does a good job getting out of the cuts. And looks really similar, to me, how he was with Cleveland.”

In his first eight games since joining the Patriots, Gordon has racked up 31 receptions for 547 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

His level of play has continued to pick up as the weeks have passed and he has posted a pair of 100 receiving yard performances in the last five games, tallying at least four catches in each contest over that stretch, as well as more than 80 receiving yards three times.

Although Gordon won't be able to put up nearly the numbers he had in his breakout 2013 season where he had 87 receptions for 1,646 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, he has been a huge factor in the Patriots' passing game.

New England has had the approach of spreading the ball around to their other receiving threats such as wideout Julian Edelman or tight end Rob Gronkowski, but it hasn't diminished the type of impact he has had in the offense.

If he's able to continue to play a major factor in the offense, he could play a pivotal role in helping the Patriots compete for another Super Bowl.