The NFL has returned alternate helmets in 2022: Ranking all 13 from best to worst
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The rollout began in Week 4, the Bengals unveiling their long-anticipated “White Bengal” ensemble on “Thursday Night Football.” It was a spectacular alternative for a franchise that had worn orange lids for the balance of its 55-year existence.
But don’t expect all the new reveals to go so well. Here’s a ranking of the 13 teams that will be using the extra helmet option in 2022, one of them a double dipper:
1. Cincinnati Bengals
They debuted their black and mostly white Color Rush uniforms in 2016. Now, the white helmet with the black tiger stripes has finally completes that “White Bengal” presentation as a nicely distinguished substitute for a team that had been doing little more than mucking up its primary jerseys with unnecessary swatching and such for nearly 20 years. A record 67,260 fans filed into Paycor Stadium last week to celebrate the whiteout theme.
2. New England Patriots
No matter how you feel about this team – and most fans are on one end of the spectrum or the other – most seem to universally prefer the white “Pat Patriot” helmet that dates to New England’s AFL days. Joyously, it will return this Sunday – and perhaps dually commemorate rookie QB Bailey Zappe’s first start.
3. New Orleans Saints
They broke out their new black helmets for last weekend’s game in London. Largely a reversal of their familiar domes, the alternates have black shells with the signature fleur-de-lis logo in gold on the side with a stream of smaller ones in a tapering pattern down the center line – similar to the feathers used by the Seattle Seahawks. A pretty sharp look for the Saints, who have almost always looked clean in their various combinations of “old gold,” black and white … that 2002 experiment with golden jerseys notwithstanding.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Their throwbacks don’t rate the acclaim of New England’s – perhaps it has something to do with trailing the Patriots by six Lombardi Trophies, including the Super Bowl 51 gift – but Atlanta’s original red helmets are pretty slick. The Falcons hadn’t been able to do more lately than slap their original logo on the black helmets, calling back their briefly successful 1990s era, which included the franchise’s first Super Bowl loss following the 1998 campaign. But the red helms with the black, white and gold striping truly evoke the past. This original scheme was devised as a way to pay tribute to the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. It returns in Week 6.
5. New York Giants
We had to double check on this one, as they’d been using the block “GIANTS” logo for several years. This past weekend, they resurfaced their Lawrence Taylor-era blue jerseys with the retro logo as well – which was affixed to a new helmet with a slightly darker shade of blue than what the G-Men typically wear.
6. Washington Commanders
Their alternate uniforms topped with a black helmet might be the least objectionable aspect of their botched rebrand. Fielded for the first time in Sunday’s loss at Dallas, the military stylization of the uniform and the D.C. flag on the shoulders are nice details. The black helmet itself is unique as the team’s new “W” logo sits on the forehead with the players’ jersey numbers on the sides. Frankly, the Commanders should’ve made this their new primary uniform given it would have further distanced the team from its burgundy and gold color scheme – which only serves as trim on the black kit – that many feel still inextricably links the franchise to its controversial former name.
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7a. Cowboys, part II
Bonus: If you’re a fan of the throwback look Dallas has often featured on Thanksgiving in the past, welp, that’s also back for Turkey Day this year – differentiated by the star logo on the helmet stripped of outlines.
the league’s worst uniforms. Back to the drawing board …
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.