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This, they say, is the one that counts.
The third preseason game is typically the one that teams treat as a dress rehearsal. The starters typically play longer, there’s more attention paid to the opponent and teams have most of everything installed by this point. In most cases, it’s the closest thing to a real game you can get before real games are actually played.

Just don’t expect it to be too real.

The Saints are using the week to get into more of a regular-season schedule and will stay in a hotel the night before the game, but they won’t spend too much time looking at the Texans and figuring out ways to beat them.

“I don’t know that from an X’s and O’s standpoint that there is more preparation for that game,” coach Sean Payton said. “Everything out here is (still) Saints on Saints right now.”

That’s probably a good thing. Houston and New Orleans meet again during the season, so it would be foolish to show too much and give away an edge that might be needed later. The teams don’t want to become too familiar with each other.

The best thing the Saints can do at this point is use the week to find answers to the many lingering questions that still remain after two preseason contests.

Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints: what to watch, three and out, four roster battles to watch, predictions | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins