Sean Payton has described the Houston Texans as a "better team overall" ahead of their pre-season game against the New Orleans Saints.

The NFC South side face the Texans tomorrow evening, having beaten the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders already this month.

The Saints head coach told reporters: "I think, number one, we are playing a better team overall. Offensively, defensively, we are playing one of the better teams from a season ago. That'll be a good test for us.

"They do a real good job with their play action passing game. They do a good job of getting the ball down the field off of some of those run looks.

"Back to the most important thing, there's still a handful of players that are going to have a lot of snaps not only on defense, but in the kicking game. I think that's going to be important, and it will be our first time going out on the road too."

The Saints finish their pre-season against the Miami Dolphins next week.