In a long NFL season, sometimes teams have to find some extra motivation. And come Sunday, the New Orleans Saints won't have to look very far.

Three former starting Saints defensive players are now with Cincinnati. Safety Vonn Bell and defensive end Trey Hendrickson were Saints' draft choices. Cornerback Eli Apple played for New Orleans in 2018 and 2019.

“We love all those guys, miss those guys,” Running back Alvin Kamara said, but added: “They're the enemy right now.”

Bell, who was good at forcing turnovers with New Orleans, has three interceptions and a forced fumble for the Bengals this season. The Saints' 13 lost turnovers are the worst in the NFL.

“I know he's preaching that over there,” Kamara said of Bell. “He's going to try to turn the ball over. And he's going to try to make a splash play. He's going to try to hit somebody — whatever he can do to affect the game.”

Who doesn't love a friendly rivalry?

To blur more lines, linebacker Pete Werner was Joe Burrow's teammate at Ohio State before the quarterback transferred to LSU.

What he had to say was rather interesting.

“I was just thankful to be with him for his start at Ohio State,” Werner said. “Once he left, I knew he was going to have great success.”

Sunday doesn't mark just another big game between two teams that are 2-3. There is some familiarity between these two clubs. And for the Saints, it is clearly giving them some extra juice to pick up a needed win.

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Feature image via Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports