The Tyne-Wear showdown arrives just days after Newcastle were bounced out of the Champions League by Barcelona, with the Toon hammered 7-2 in the second-leg at the Nou Camp.
Asked about the players' confidence this morning, Howe conceded: "We have a bit of work to do, psychologically, with the players.
"I think the players will have learned from a lot of similar games this season, bit of work to do today and tomorrow and we will be fine come kick-off.
"For our supporters, for the city, we know when the fixtures came out this was one that was in the mind of everybody. We have to play for all of our people in this game, showing the passion with control and with quality and they will be key ingredients."
Sunderland season
As it stands, Newcastle sit ahead of Sunderland, though defeat at home would see the Black Cats jump ahead on the table.
Howe reflected: "If you look at the season as a whole, Sunderland have had a very good season. The jump from the Championship to the Premier League is big and they have handled it really well.
"We need to use the experience of the first game and the emotion we felt afterwards.
"You need a little bit of everything. Anger, passion, emotion, but you need to control it because too much of one can be a negative.
"This game is a great game off the back of what happened Wednesday as there's no time to dwell on it too much. We can't carry any baggage into this game."
Wissa and Woltemade
Howe also addressed the form struggles of summer signings Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. Such have been both strikers' issues that they're in danger of missing the matchday squad on Sunday.
Howe said: "Every player wants to play the biggest games. Nick has had a lot of football this year and I thought he played really well at Chelsea.
"Yoane has had a big injury and we haven't seen the best of him yet. Hopefully that will come. They both have good parts to play in the close of play. We will be going week to week so we will be training for the first time in a long time and that is a positive for us.
"The focus for us is to try and win the game. Looking back at past records and results won't help us. Every game is different and the next one is so important.
"We have to recover physically and mentally and the players are in no doubt about the size of the game. That was only reinforced by what happened in the game earlier in the season."
Tonali injury
Meanwhile, Howe allayed concerns over the fitness of midfielder Sandro Tonali. The Italy international was forced off at Barca with a suspected groin injury.
However, Howe says Tonali could be fit for Sunday: "We will wait and see. Hopefully not as bad as first feared and we will see how he is today and make a decision closer to the game."
The Toon manager added: "The focus for us is to try and win the game. Looking back at past records and results won't help us. Every game is different and the next one is so important.
"We have to recover physically and mentally and the players are in no doubt about the size of the game. That was only reinforced by what happened in the game earlier in the season."