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From the outset, the mark to aspire to was identified.

In his initial news conference after being named head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton named New England as one of the NFL franchises he wanted the Saints to emulate, in terms of stability and competitiveness.

He wanted his Saints annually to be Super Bowl contenders, wanted there to be an expectation that New Orleans yearly was a threat to win the NFC, wanted the Saints to be known for consistent success and front office stability.

There was solid reason for the Patriots being among the selections. At the time, New England was a three-time Super Bowl champion (2001, ’03 and ’04) with five consecutive winning seasons. And little has changed for the Patriots, who’ve added seven more consecutive winning years, all double-digit victory seasons.

But the Saints, too, have become much of what Payton had hoped they would.

Since 2006 the Saints have posted four double-digit win seasons, three NFC South Division titles, two NFC championship game appearances and one Super Bowl victory in seven seasons (including one, non-playoff season without Payton).

That’s a pretty impressive counter to New England’s success over the same period of time (six AFC East Division titles, four conference title game appearances and two AFC championship game victories). Drew Brees

And it’s a reason that Sunday’s game between New Orleans (5-0) and New England (4-1) at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., is considered the marquee NFL game this week.

“These guys have been to five Super Bowls and won three,” Payton said. “Pretty amazing.”

Read more: John DeShazier: New Orleans Saints respect New England Patriots

homerj07

This is another statement game for us. A big win before the bye would be fantastic.