It’s hard to believe, but we’ve reached the final weekend of the NFL’s regular season, and there will definitely be some good looking games this week. There will be relatively few clunkers too, so it’s a fine weekend for football uni watching.
The Broncos and Titans are both wearing gorgeous throwback uniforms, while the Lions are running back their blue helmet/black jersey look (and I’ll be waiting with bated breath for their pants announcement). We’ve also got the most condensed week of the season, with no Thursday or Monday Night Football games. We’ll see a pair of AFC North battles tomorrow, while Sunday will feature the entire rest of the league, culminating in a SNF game for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. In short, not just a great uni-matchup weekend, but a fine way to close out the regular season as well.
Who’ll challenge for the Top 5 and who’ll need to go back to the uni-drawing board? Let’s look at the contenders below.
This post will be updated as teams who have not announced full combos do so.
Saturday Games:
The Browns still haven’t unveiled their pants preference for this game, although they wore their orange pants at home against the Ravens earlier this season, and may do so again, as the Ravens will be in black/purple/white/black. The game should be good looking regardless, but would be approaching a color palette special if the Browns pick their orange trou.
UPDATE: The Browns will wear orange pants with white striped socks.
It’ll be a fantastic matchup in Pittsburgh as the Bengals need a win (and some luck) to reach the playoffs. Since introducing the orange pants this year, this will be the fifth game in which they will have worn them. Pittsburgh, of course, will be in their classic black and gold.
Sunday Early Games:
The Bills are going with their icy white look for this game (boo!), while the Patriots will once again pair their silver-gray pants with their blue jerseys (a very nice look). The Pats, after debuting the silver-gray pants in 2022, and wearing them very sparingly that season and 2023, have at long last come to realization that this is their best look. It’ll be ninth time this season for the Pats in gray slacks, including the last seven straight (excluding one week they wore their throwbacks). Hopefully this will be their permanent home look for 2025 and beyond.
The Panthers don’t unveil their pants/socks until closer to game time, but we do know the Falcons will be dressed in mono-black. The Falcons must beat the Panthers and have Tampa Bay lose to secure the NFC South crown, so this is a big game for them. I’m not sure if mono-black is their “big game” uni, but it’s what they’re going with. The Panthers have, thus far, worn 12 different uni combos, so if they break out a new one, they’ll tie the Jaguars “record” of having 13 different uni combos in a single season. Last year, the Panthers wore 11 different looks, so they’ve already bested that by one.
UPDATE: The Panthers will wear silver-gray pants and white socks. This is a look the team never worn before (though they did once wear white jerseys/silver-gray pants in 1998, however that was with blue socks).
The two longtime NFC North rivals will meet again, and the uni matchup will be as classic as ever. This game will be an almost automatic T-5. FOOTBALL!
The bad blood between these two teams is reflected in the Titans decision to wear their Oilers throwbacks against the team from the city they left. And this is their second year wearing the throwbacks against the Texans (out of three total wearings). But even with that backdrop, most folks are excited to see the beautiful Columbia blue on the field — and with the Texans wearing one of their better uni combos, this game definitely has a shot a a T-5 finish.
The Jaguars are another team that has worn more than ten different uni combos this year, and don’t reveal their lower half uni stylings until closer to the game. And like the Panthers, the Jags have worn 12 different combos this season. If they debut a new look, they’ll tie their own previous mark of having 13 different uni combos for a season.
UPDATE: The Jags will wear black pants and white socks.
Of all the teams to “stray” from their primary looks this season, the Saints (and Lions) probably top the list. After wearing their gold pants for all three pre-season games, they’ve worn them a grand total of ONCE this season. I fully expect they’ll wear white pants and socks when they finally declare that portion of their outfits before the game. The Bucs, on the other hand, didn’t break out their red/pewter combo until Week 14, and Sunday’s game will mark the fourth time in the last five games they’ll wear it. Yes, the Bucs tend to wear white at home a lot during the warmer months, but it just seems weird how their home uni looks are almost entirely split up between September>November and December/January.
UPDATE: The Saints will wear black pants and socks.
In a surprising move, the Eagles declared they will go mono-black against the Giants for the final week of the season, seemingly violating the number of “alternates” a team can wear. Perhaps it’s not a surprise for the Eagles to don the all black against the G-men, since they’ve gone all black vs. their NFC East rivals every single season, with the sole exception of the 2017 season, going all the way back to 2014. It’s pretty much their default home look against New York now.
Like several other teams, the Commanders haven’t revealed their pants or socks, but the Cowboys will be breaking out their (relatively rare) blue jerseys at home. While I absolutely love the Cowboys in blue jerseys over their silver pants, I don’t like it when they pair them with the white pants, as they are doing Sunday. I know many consider the silver/blue/silver their “bad luck blues” look, but it’s really a very underrated good uniform combo. Hopefully the Commanders won’t wear same color pants and socks…
UPDATE: The Commanders will wear burgundy pants and socks.
Sunday Late Afternoon Games:
With the Broncos wearing their gorgeous 1977 inspired throwbacks, and playing the Chiefs (who have yet to declare whether they’ll wear red or white pants), this is almost assuredly a Top 5 lock, and probably the clubhouse leader for the #1. I’m expecting the Chiefs to sport their red britches (especially since Denver will be in white pants), but I’d be even more thrilled to see KC in white over white (their best road look). Either way though, this will be a feast for the eyes.
UPDATE: The Chiefs will wear red pants and white striped socks.
This game will be another classic — definitely a T-5 — but it could definitely challenge for the #1 spot overall depending on the Chargers choice of pants. Perhaps surprisingly, the Chargers have only once gone white over gold against the Raiders since getting this new uniform set, but have opted for the all-white look on the road thrice vs. the silver and black. Gold pants would be the better choice, but either way the game will still look fantastic.
UPDATE: The Chargers will wear white pants and blue socks.
In what is almost assuredly Aaron Rodgers final game as a Jet (and possibly his final game ever), the Dolphins will wear their all white combo, with the Jets still yet to declare their pants/hose. I am hopeful the Jets will pair their green hats and shirts with white pants and green socks, which is easily their best look. The Jets won’t be playing for anything but pride, but the Dolphins still have an outside chance to get the AFC No. 7 seed, but they’ll need a LOT to break right.
UPDATE: The Jets will wear white pants and green socks.
The Seahawks will wear their white/white combo with navy socks, a very good road look for them. This game might have even challenged for a T-5 spot, had the Rams decided to wear their sol (yellow) pants, but alas, with their decision to go mono-royal, this won’t even sniff the top five. It would have been an uphill climb to reach the upper eschelon of uni matchups regardless, but the all royal everything will ensure this one won’t be in the MMUW five and one.
The final game of the late afternoon certainly won’t be in consideration for the best looking, as Arizona will wear their bloodclots for the season finale. Interestingly, this will be the first time the Cardinals will wear their all-red vs. San Francisco (last season they wore mono-white at home vs. SF). Too bad they couldn’t see fit to do so again this year.
Sunday Night Football:
This is a huge game for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the winner of this game will not only win the NFC North, but will also receive the No. 1 seed (and a bye) in the playoffs. Then there’s Detroit’s decision to wear their alternate blue helmet/black jersey. We’ve already discussed how superstitious the Lions are when it comes to uniform selection. Thus far, the team has not repeated a uni combo in which they’ve lost (their two losses came in their blue jersey/silver-gray pants, and their blue helmets over mono-black). This leads me to believe they will break out the blue/black/blue/black combo which was teased when the team unveiled their new uniforms. And the decision might move this from a guaranteed “And One” (if they wear black pants/socks) to a safe, but not T-5, position. I’ve been dying to see the blue/black/blue/black combo all season long. Let’s hope the Lions agree.
UPDATE: The Lions will wear black pants and socks.
Packers and Bears really shaking it up there. Going wild.
With Aaron Rogers moving toward the exit, are there any other QBs that use a single snap chin strap left? I recall this being a Green Bay sort of thing. Can anyone help?
I think Rodgers is also the only player left with a smooth helmet shell, without vents or contours, and that late-’80s facemask design.
Not sure if you’re including kickers/punters, because many of them seem to stay a little behind the times on helmet stylings, but Nick Folk still wears an older style too. I always think he looks a little “off” when I see him come into the game.
link
Not all the same facemask style, but Joe Flacco, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper, Bobby Wagner, Thomas Morstead, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Chris Boswell, Nick Folk and Dustin Hopkins still wear the Schutt Air XP.
Does anyone find it strange a team trudging through a lost season (Dallas, New Orleans) can have “unlucky” uniforms? They’re all unlucky.
I find the whole concept of “unlucky uniforms” to be strange. Just wear what looks good.
Me too, I think teams need to drop their superstitions and just run with the uniforms they’re supposed to wear that they look good in. I never bought into the whole Dallas navy blue jersey as bad luck as they’ve had plenty of wins in them over the past 60 years.
The Saints won their only NFC title and SB in gold pants but have barely worn them over the past decade and it’s their best pants.
Wisdom
Phil, want to get your Vikings thoughts. Pretty sure this is the first time they’ve worn white pants with their regular white jersey this year. I love that the Pats have gone back to the grey pants this year, it just seems right. Before this new uniform set, the Vikings almost always wore white pants with both jerseys (always with purple socks thank goodness). So the purple pants, while they seem so normal, are actually a new look for their most recent uniform change. Should they go purple/white/white/purple more often or do you like the purple/white/purple,white best!
The Vikes have worn that purple/white/white/white look before, but it’s a rare look. I don’t like that, and honestly I prefer them to wear white pants and purple socks with both the white and purple jerseys. But I’m *ok* if they go purple pants/white socks with the white shirts. Anything mono pants/socks looks off, no matter what they wear for a helmet or jersey. The only exception to this for the Vikings is their new all white uniform. I’m OK with that as a once-a-year special look, since their intent is to have as much white as possible.
Agree with the mono. Although if the mono matches the helmet I’m ok with it but don’t love it (unless there is no design on the pants then mono waist down should be illegal). I think if the pants or the socks match the helmet it would look so much better (Cardinals being the perfect example).
I wish Vikings would wear Ther All white uniforms more often look great on TV stands out.I love the All white uniforms they wore in the White out with the White helmet that might of been the best uniform in the league different gotta make that a regular uniform
Panthers are wearing silver pants, so another new look for the season
Yep. And I believe that is the first time the team will EVER wear the silver-gray pants with white jerseys.
They actually wore silver pants with white jersey back in 1998, I believe against the Falcons the last game of the season, but it was the only time in their franchise history.
As a Panther fan, will need to see this on the field but it will be much better than the black pants. I am traditional but have gotten to really like the blue pants, which I had hoped they would wear.
Only good looking Uniform combo that Panthers wear is Ther All white uniforms thrr awesome hate the black pants ugly
All white is bland and boring
I am trying hard to picture Kyler Murray in that picture with white socks and black shoes. I think that would make it a fine (no longer bad) uniform. Has any player ever worn white socks with that combo? I actually think Kyler did one time and it looked better, but he had some white or light colored shoes which weren’t great. I can’t fully remember.
Kyler at least once wore white leggings with the new blodclot uniforms (against the Dolphins)
link
he wore white shoes, which didn’t look terrible, but I agree, black shoes would look even better.
Of the many Ravens uniform combinations, this is the ONLY one that does not suck swamp water. So at least I’ll have THAT going for me tomorrow when I watch the Ratbirds treat my beloved Brownies like a park statue.
1. loving the panters white over gray
2. in my opinion, jets best look can’t be green jersey due to ugly collar. i’d much rather G/W/W/G or G/W/G/W
3. I don’t think it’s fair to call certain teams white look the “icy white”. Bills have done this before it was a fad and uses regular uniform elements, just like the chiefs, which you do like. it’s not like the bills made a new white helmet. i make a big distinction between the bills, chiefs going all white vs the vikings and even the packers, who created special alternate elements to make it “icy” (vikings more egregiously so than packers)
Not too bad as I think the Bengals white on orange look will pop pretty well. I like the orange pants with the black jerseys too. I love seeing the Panthers wear white on silver, first time since 1998 they’ve worn that combo. Makes you miss the Lions in white on silver. Speaking of silver it’s great to see the Patriots adopting them this season as I hope the mono blue days are finally over. They don’t need new uniforms now as the silver was the missing ingredient.
I really hope the Lions wear black on blue as they already lost in the mono black look last home game against the Bills. The whole point of black on blue was to wear themagainst NFC North opponents since that’s the black on blue division. I’m disappointed that the Vikings aren’t wearing purple pants. They’re undefeated in them this season too so far as the mono whites comes on the road should’ve been retired this season now that they have the new mono white unis for their Winter IS Coming December home games.
I don’t like the Seahawks Rams uni game at all. Neither team should be wearing mono uniforms. I was hoping the Rams retired the all blue look. Seahawks got thrashed in the mono whites earlier this season. Seahawks need to wear their wolf Grey pants a lot more than they so.
This might sound nasty but I would love to see the Seahawks at least just one time wear neon green pants with white jerseys. I’ve seen it in Madden vmbefore and it looks decent.
Lions and Saints fighting for worst look. Think Detroit “wins.”
Detroit wins for sure although the Saints are super close. What hurts with both teams is that they have great uniform combos that are mostly neglected. Teams need to stop deviating away from traditional combos like blue and white on silver for the Lions and for the Saints black and white on gold.
Whoever writes this article is a moron Why would you boo The Bills wearing Ther Great looking All white uniforms its Ther best uniform combo n your saying boo your nuts Bills look great in Mono white actually all teams look Ther best in All white uniforms.Boo to you I hate All Dark mono uniforms simply ugly trash Boo them why don’t you
The Bills look good in all white. But Phil probably said boo because they are wearing white socks instead of blue socks, which I agree with. Boo!
Heh. Yes. I prefer the Bills in white/white/white, but NOT if they are full white. Royal socks — hell, I’d even go with white socks if they had stripes mimicking the sleeve stripes. But something to break up the leotard look.
So happy the Panthers are finally wearing silver pants with their white jersey! They should always have been doing this! But… why the white socks? Black or blue socks would look much better. It’s the same dilemma with the Patriots this year. I love that they’re wearing silver pants with both their home and road uniforms, but the road whites need navy socks to make it look less mono-white. Why, Panthers, why!?
This is not the first time the Saints have worn white over black this year, they did it week 8 @ the Chargers. Also about the Saints, this is only the third time this year where neither they nor their opponent is in a mono uniform (wk 8, 9) source: GUD
I wish my Texans would bring back the red socks they wore in their first few seasons. And I’d be pumped to see them work red pants into the regular rotation.
Geez, are the Titans ever petty… Last year, JJ Watt suggested that the Texans and Titans play every year for the right to wear the throwbacks the next year, like a rivalry trophy. The NFL is way too concerned with licensing ever to do something like that, but it’d sure be cool.
Yeah, I love this idea….
Or they could both wear Oiler throwbacks against each other…home and away…
I hope the Lions wear blue/black/grey/blue or blue/black/white/blue
Why oh why will the Cardinals not break out the white pants with the red jersey??? The way all of the other teams are practically mix and matching all of their uniform elements, the Cardinals haven’t even considered it once. Really stupid.
It’s a great question. Unfortunately, the red and white uniforms don’t really “match” — the red is basically solid, stripeless red, while the white (and black alternate) both have stripes, both jerseys and pants. While they certainly *could* be paired, I think each uniform was designed to be worn only with the matching color. As to why they were designed this way? It doesn’t seem to make sense. The black and white uniforms could probably be mix/matched, although the less of the BFBS the better.
I’m more mystified that the team won’t at a minimum mix up the socks — the mono-red would look much better with whitesocks, and the mono-white (which is actually not that bad a uniform) would REALLY look great with red socks. Their insistence on going mono-below-the-neck is annoying.
The Saints are just terrible. They have a top 5 look they refuse to wear.
one of the biggest game’s in lions history, and it would have been funny if they went thanksgiving like first reported.
Update to your Update: The Saints have worn white on black this season. Week 8 in Los Angeles against the Chargers. Tomorrow will be the second time they’ve worn that combo this season.
Texans will roll the Titans by 3TDs …..
The Nashville franchise has been cursed ever since Bud left Houston…
And will be cursed so long as an Adams owns the team….
Lions are terrible, they roll out the mono blacks instead of black & blue for a black & blue division game for the division title. They’re so scared to go with a non-mono combo it’s laughable for a team that claims they’re tough. Saints & Lions two worst combo teams in the league right now. One has awesome gold pants and the other have awesome silver pants and refuse to wear them. Thanks a lot Dan Campbell and Saints organization for ruining both franchise’s uni combo options.
I now hope the VIkings win.