Some NFL rivalry games are going to look a little different this season.
In collaboration with Nike, eight teams launched “Rivalries” jerseys on Thursday, special designs they will wear against some of their biggest rivals in the league. Each design features some dramatic elements, and stands as a wide departure from the team’s standard uniforms.
So, it makes sense to rank them.
One of our favorite formats here at SB Nation is the “an old and a young” ranking method, particularly when it comes to uniforms, sneakers, cleats, or anything where personal taste plays a role. But with our dear friend JP Acosta having moved onto a new role with CBS Sports you are left with a pair of olds, Mark Schofield and James Dator.
8. Seattle Seahawks: Details Speak Volumes
The Seahawks are getting a white-out version, but having blue-silver accents and a bold texture on their numbering. The helmet has a bit of gradient to it, moving from blue to green as well. It’s more difficult to get a good look at these because the ‘Hawks didn’t do a video, instead opting for still images.
Our take: These are ugly as hell. It’s an extremely over-designed jersey like something out of the worst of Oregon’s college locker. There’s no cohesiveness between the design on the number, and the line accents on the shoulder. The best thing is the helmet, which is kind of neat. The rest looks like someone created it in Madden and thinks they nailed it – when they in fact did not. — JD
7. Miami Dolphins: Dark Waters
The Dolphins are going into the ocean depths for their “Dark Waters” jersey, swapping their iconic aqua for black, with orange on the name plate. It’s a look that evokes the Miami nightlife, giving major vibes of a nighttime scene on Miami beach.
Miami’s social media team is getting roasted for barely showing the uniform and it looking like AI.
Our take: It’s extremely funny to watch the team try and make dolphins seem threatening. No matter how hard you try there’s simply nothing scary about a dolphin. Making the uniform black and calling it a day feels lazy. Also have fun wearing a black jersey in the Miami heat. — JD
6. Los Angeles Rams: Midnight Mode
For their “Rivalries” jersey, the Rams are leaning into the dark. Their “Midnight Mode” jerseys are a dark blue, dubbed “midnight navy,” and appear almost black. There are other nods to the night, such as the perforations in the numbers, which replicate the blue lights that shine at SoFi Stadium during night games. According to the team, the concept “features a matte near-black midnight base with a hint of Royal blue, which echoes the evening hue and energy at SoFi Stadium and pays homage to the hard work of so many across Los Angeles who grind around the clock to turn their dreams into a reality.”
Our take: This is an interesting concept, and as far as executing the concept, the design nails the “Midnight Mode” theme.
But from where we sit, the dark navy just does not feel like the Rams to us. If this were an episode of “Project Runway” the designer might slide into the bottom three, with the judges praising the concept but wondering about the execution.
The designer would be safe from elimination, however. — MS
5. New York Jets: Gotham City Football
The Jets are going full Batman for their rivalry look with a blackout jersey and grey accents made to evoke sewer grates inside the city. They’re going all-in on New York City while ignoring the fact they play in New Jersey, which is probably the correct move here.
Our take: These are fine. The accent work is a little on the nose, but otherwise this is a bog-standard black uniform without much special about it. Fans will absolutely love it, because every fanbase is obsessed with black uniforms. — JD
4. Arizona Cardinals: Built to Last
Dubbed “Built to Last,” the Cardinals’ “Rivalries” jersey pays tribute to the team’s home in the desert, an all-white textured look meant to replicate Arizona’s sand and dust storms, one of which rolled through Phoenix in recent days.
There are also copper elements, representing the state’s metal, such as the copper-outlined state flag patch on the sleeves.
Our take: These are solid. The textured sand look is a nice touch, as is the flag patch on the sleeves.
Timely too, given these scenes out of Phoenix International Airport from this week. — MS
3. New England Patriots: Nor’Easter
Dubbed “Nor’Easter,” the Patriots’ “Rivalries” jersey leans into a few different concepts. First is the color, described by the team as “storm blue,” which replicates the sky as storms roll into Boston and the surrounding area.
There are also nods to both the region and the team’s history, with the six stars around the next. These not only represent the six New England states, but also the six Super Bowls won by the franchise.
“We Are All Patriots,” a quote by owner Robert Kraft following the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI victory, is stitched inside the neckline. There are also reflective silver elements, a nod to the lighthouse at Gillette Stadium.
Our take: As noted in this piece, I am a Patriots fan, but these work for me. I had questions about the color, but I see the vision, and the added elements that pay tribute to the team and the region are nice touches. — MS
2. San Francisco 49ers: For the Faithful
The 49ers are trying to evoke a saloon concept for why they’re getting black uniforms too with western bar doors swinging open to reveal their rivalry uniform. The biggest change is a ultra-stylized number plate that goes for a very gold rush-era vibe, while still being legible enough for the refs.
Our take: These are pretty fantastic. Black doesn’t feel like a great color for the Niners, but the heavy dose of gold around the numbers and the matte black helmet really work well together. When your primary colors are red and gold it makes it very easy to work around them because they go so well together, and this uniform is one of the better ones. — JD
1. Buffalo Bills: Cold Front
For a team with a home in the cold, the Bills leaned into that concept with their “Cold Front” design. From the crystallized buffalo on the sleeves to the overall icy-white, frosted look, these uniforms look like something the White Walkers might have worn as they came south towards The Wall.
Bills Mafia even gets a shoutout with the stitching on the inside of the neck.
Our take: Look, I’m a Patriots fan. But these are awesome. Every element works, even the “Bills Mafia” stitched on the inside of the neck, but the crystallized buffalo on the sleeves sends these over the top. — MS
