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Ranking the NFL alternate helmets, including the Buccaneers’ creamsicle throwback

In June 2021, the NFL announced it was finally lifting its ban on alternate helmets, allowing teams to wear a second helmet style beginning in 2022 and continuing into 2023.

While some teams used rich histories and awesome throwbacks in the design of their new shells, other teams opted for brand new looks. Most of the helmets have been met with excitement, but not all of them stack up the same. Some are simply better than others. So let’s rank them.

For the purposes of this, I’m only ranking helmets — not the complete alternate uniform. The biggest determining factor is which helmet I would most want to wear if I was a player. But nostalgia and creativity also plays a part.

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1
Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons did a lot of losing in their throwback helmets, and that won’t change anytime soon. But black and red is an otherwise undefeated combination.

2
Cincinnati Bengals

This helmet was as glorious on the field as we had imagined when the team first revealed it. The Bengals in all white with black stripes a la the White Bengal Tiger is just a fun look and different from any other.

3
Philadelphia Eagles

I thought the Eagles’ all-black alternates of 2022 were a great look, then they stepped it up another level with these beautifully simple kelly green throwbacks.

4
Carolina Panthers

The Panthers don’t have a long history to pull from, so they leaned on the possibilities of their awesome black and electric blue colors. This is a great look.

5
New York Giants

The Giants did a lot of winning in these throwbacks to the throwback, which adds to the nostalgia of these beauties (which should probably be their primary look). Also, as a Giants fan, I might be a bit biased.

6
Dallas Cowboys

This helmet isn’t representative of any singular great season in Cowboys history, but fans have plenty of good memories involving the simple and clean look.

7
Tennessee Titans

The super throwbacks that these are, the Houston Oilers helmets give off an old school vibe. But the baby blue and red color combination is timeless.

8
Seattle Seahawks

These helmets are undeniably cool, but it’s mostly due to an almost infallible color scheme.

9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa is going to me mostly unwatchable in 2023. But the one time you’ll want to tune in is Oct. 15 when they play the Lions, because the creamsicle uniforms are returning and the Buccaneer Bruce helmets are glorious.

10
Denver Broncos

These are clean. The blue outlining the orange over an all-white backdrop really makes these helmets pop. And the throwback logo is a great look too.

11
New York Jets

The Jets might be the first team to break out a second alternate in as many years, but after a lukewarm response to the black helmets in 2022, they listened to the fans and brought back the green throwbacks. These move them up the rankings a little.

12
New England Patriots

In a vacuum, these throwback helmets are honestly just average. In concert with the red uniforms fans have been clamoring for, they work better. And Pat Patriot makes them a lot more unique than some of the remaining helmets on this list.

13
Detroit Lions

OK, sure, the lion on these Detroit throwback helmets looks like someone drew it from memory. It’s not a good lion. But I love the shade of blue on the helmet, and the double stripes behind the stretched out lion are a redeeming feature for me.

14
Indianapolis Colts

It’s weird and a little jarring to see the Colts logo over a black helmet, but I do think these have the potential to grow on people over time.

15
Cleveland Browns

Short of adding a logo, there wasn’t much the Browns could do with a style that’s bland to begin with. And, well, they didn’t add a logo. The white helmet is fine, just very blah.

16
New Orleans Saints

This might be a case of doing too much. The Saints’ alternate helmet looks like a Luis Vuitton collab. Black and gold gives them so many possibilities, but I’m not a fan of this look.

17
Chicago Bears

I like orange, so I’m a little more partial to these than most. But ultimately they’re just Browns helmets with a C on them.

18
Washington Commanders

Luckily for Commanders fans, everything about their look is new. Their alternate blacks are clean, just not very creative.

19
Arizona Cardinals

Maybe these look better in live action with the sun gleaming off the creative paint job, but this uber-dramatic video did nothing to make me like these.

20
Houston Texans

I’m almost embarrassed to admit I called these awesome. Now, lining them up against the others, I change my mind. They’re boring. And boring is worse in red than in black or white.

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