When I reported that the Denver Broncos would be wearing their “Orange Crush” throwbacks on Sunday, I noted, “I don’t know how many of you have Week Five circled on your NFL calendars, but I surely have. Not only will we get to see the Falcons throwbacks again (this time against Tampa Bay on Thursday Night), we’ll also have the Bengals debuting a new combination (black jerseys over orange pants, with black socks), AND we’ll get to see the Texans debut their new ‘H-Town’ alternates as well.” But there was one game I purposely did not include, and that game is the debut of another incredible throwback uniform, the “Prowler” uniforms of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
I pretty much guaranteed the Denver/Las Vegas game will take the top spot in my Five and One (and I’m sure it still will), but a very close second matchup should be the Jags/Colts, in which the Jags are bringing back their 1998 uniforms for the first time.
If you’re of a certain vintage, you’ll remember these:
I’m almost as excited to see these as I am the Broncos Orange Crush throwbacks. The players seem pretty excited to rock it old school as well.
Last evening, the team had some fun with it, releasing a pseudo-trading card with Andre Cisco posing in the new (old) duds:
And because the team is wearing a “new” helmet (it’s the same shell as their current regular helmet, in glossy black, with the original Jaguars logo on the side and used by the team in the inaugural season of 1995 until 2013), they’ve been “breaking those in” this week in practice.
The Jaguars and Colts were not in the same division back in 1998 (now both are in the AFC South), so they didn’t meet each other that often until realignment in 2002. But the two teams did square off back in 1995, so Sunday’s game should look somewhat similar to this:
The Jaguars inaugural season uniforms (worn in 1995-96) featured block numbers, but had most of the colors and features of the 1998 “Prowler” uniforms:
The Jags are celebrating their 30th Season this year, so the throwbacks are a part of the yearlong celebration. It may have taken the team a few years from their inception to get their uniform “just right,” but to me, this is their apex. They have had some pretty terrible uniforms over the years, but this one — at least in my opinion — is their best.
And thankfully, the team has chosen an opponent whose uniforms are timeless, so this should be the second best matchup of the weekend (and in almost any other week, it would be tops, but I can’t see it outshining Denver/Las Vegas). And we could be in for one of the best looking uni-matchup weekends in a long time. Aside from the two throwback games, we have great possible matchups tonight (Falcons in throwbacks vs. TB in pewter/white/pewter) and Sunday, with Washington/Cleveland (especially if the Commanders wear gold pants), Cowboys/Steelers, and a real sleeper possibility with Arizona (in their road whites)/San Francisco. Instead of struggling to find a “good” five games, there will be some great games that won’t make the cut.
As for the And One? I’m not ready to make any early predictions, but this may be the pre-race favorite. I’m actually looking forward to seeing the debut of the “H-Town” uniforms — so until I see them in action and on the field, I will hold off any further commentary.
The Jaguars made a great decision to introduce these particular uniforms for throwbacks. Unfortunately, later this season, in Week 10 vs. Minnesota, the team will debut a new white helmet which will be paired with their black jersey. Ugh. But let’s just enjoy what’s coming this weekend, with the throwbacks and the induction of former Coach Tom Coughlin into the Pride of the Jaguars.
What do you guys think of the Prowler throwbacks? Will they look as good on the field as they have in studio shots? Do you think this will be a better looking game than the Broncos/Raiders?
Love to have your thoughts!
CLEAN!
Both will be great looking games. I like it when teams pair throwbacks against teams with classic uniforms that have been unchanged for years (Raiders/Colts). Too bad we don’t get many throwbacks paired against another team’s throwbacks.
If the Jaguars follow Tampa Bay’s lead and elevate a version of these as their primary uniform I will ascend to heaven.
They need to just go back to these full time. Every other uniform they’ve had is either objectively bad or meh.
So you’re saying the Cards/Niners game won’t be considered for the Week 5 title?
For shame!
It’d be sweet if the Colts changed back to blue face masks – won’t happen, and that ok.
And yes – the Jags should go back to these…and if they do so they should also consider the color-changing helmet to go along with them.
“So you’re saying the Cards/Niners game won’t be considered for the Week 5 title?”
That would have easily made the Top Five last week, and probably several others…it may *still* be a Top 5 this week, but it’s not going to be #1, I can say that.
I have to say their “bass boat” helmets were the best they ever wore. Black was just too basic for this team and the sparkly blue ones gave them something unique.
1995-96 were the best. I prefer the number font and pant striping from 95-96.
I like the Jags’ current uniform a lot better than the throwback. They should have kept that one in the closet.
Just slap the new Jaguar head on these throwbacks and they are set.
Getting old is weird. Growing up in the 80s as a Browns fan, we had the Bengals and Oilers in our division. To my 8, 10, or 12-year old eyes back then, those teams, along with teams like the Dolphins, Vikings, Chiefs, Raiders, etc., simply WERE. To me, they had always been a part of football. But at that point, every one of those teams was less than 30 years old, meaning the Jags and Panthers now are older than those team were then. Couple that with the fact that fully-grown adults who are functioning members of society, including some my coworkers, do not know a football world in which the Jags, Panthers, Ravens, and Texans do not exist. To them, the four newest NFL franchises simply always have been there. But I still think of all them as “new” teams.
Like I said: Getting old is weird.
Hard to believe that the Colts have been in Indianapolis longer than they played in Baltimore…there are some who may still feel the sting from their departure, though probably few in number.
For me, it hurts that they suited up in those dreadful gray pants before they left (and kept them around for a few seasons in Indy).
Think about that in the baseball/basketball world. Many people don’t know why the Lakers are called the Lakers LOL The Jags/Panthers were the first “new” teams I remember coming into the NFL. Marlins/Rockies in MLB. And Heat and Hornets in the NBA. As a matter of fact, my parents bought me an Orlando Magic shirt when we were in Orlando one time before they had even played a game. :))
My grandparents, who were snowbirds that spent their winters in Florida, got me both a Marlins and Devil Rays cap when those teams were announced, and before they ever played a game. Now, those team have both been around roughly as long as the Astros, Mets, Royals, Brewers, Expos/Nats, Padres, Mariners, and Blue Jays were back then. My brain hurts thinking about it. =D
I hear ya, John White. I still think of the Buccaneers & Seahawks as “new” teams in the NFL. Which is going to make their 50th anniversary in a few years a bit of a strange time for me …
Agree the 95-96 were the best set and hopefully they will do a throwback for that style in the future. I think maybe next year because it will be a 30 year anniversary of the team. Hope the don’t wear the white socks this time.
They didn’t wear little skirts back in the 90s
I like this matchup more than Broncos/Raiders. These Jaguars are one of my all time faves.
I think we all agree these are better unis, but is it a better logo? I still prefer the original logo over to the updated one and am excited to see that back on the field.
I was a third-team Jaguars fan during their initial years and saw them twice in 2004 when we lived in Georgia (2002-07), and their unis were gorgeous! Sooooo glad to see them back in these, and maybe it will be the ignition to Trevor Lawrence finally ascending to a solid level. Probably not, but it’s wishful thinking nevertheless.