NFL Jersey Rankings, part 4 of 9

After analyzing the dreadful jerseys in the AFC South Division, we turn our attention to the AFC West.    Of the four teams here, two haven't changed their looks much, resulting in timeless jerseys, while the other two bring more modern looks to the table.

Kansas City Chiefs
Home - Classy all around.  The Chiefs use a great color combination with the red and yellow.  What I really think ties the whole thing together are some small details:

• the white numbers/names are trimmed in yellow
• the yellow and white stripes on the sleeves
• the striped socks

          Score: 5/5

Away - This one might be the best away jersey in the game.  The red pants go nicely against the white jersey, and like the home jersey, the names and numbers are trimmed in yellow.  Also, the sleeve stripes are even better than on the home jersey (to me, red and yellow stripes look better than yellow and white stripes).  Score: 5/5
Helmet - I like the helmet, but the logo doesn't grab at me like some others.  Their original logo from 1963 is amazing, but I understand why it isn't used in the present day. Score: 4/5
Final score: 14/15

Denver Broncos
Home - The Broncos' jerseys were big hits when they debuted in 1997 (these were the home jerseys worn from 97-2011, until Nike took over and changed to the orange home unis (the blues are used as alternates now)).  Now, they're slowly beginning to show their age.  While the color template is fine, certain things stick out, such as the number font and the blue "flairs" on the pants.  It's also tough to look at these orange jerseys when they're placed next to the orange ones worn throughout their history. If they can simplify the current form, they have a winner.  Score: 2/5
Away - Slightly better than the home set, mainly because white is easier on the eyes than orange.  I'm also not nuts about the blue side panels (or that they stretch down the leg as I mentioned above).  Score: 2.5/5
Helmet - This logo is decent, but it still can't top the one used previously.  Score: 3/5
Final score: 7.5/15

San Diego Chargers
Home - My biggest issue with this jersey is the white collar.  Why was this needed?  A plain blue one would've looked better.  For a "modern" jersey, the Chargers have a pretty nice look.  Piping-wise, I can deal with the lightning bolts, and while I'm not nuts about the numerical font, it works for a team with lightning bolts all over the place.  Score: 3.5/5
Away - While I like the blue tops better than the white ones, I don't find much of an issue with these at all.  The only bones I have to pick with this set were mentioned above.  Score: 3/5
Helmet - I like the white helmets, but after a half decade of them, I wouldn't mind a return to the blue ones worn from the late 80's to 2006 or the blue and yellow ones worn before that.  Score: 3/5
Final score: 9.5/15

Oakland Raiders
Home - I go back and forth on these all the time.  While it's a simple look, the jerseys are instantly identifiable.  I guess my issue with these could be that they're too simple.  I would love to see some sleeve striping or more intricate piping down the legs.  Also, the silver seems too dark.  I may be nit-picking, but it looks dull and dingy, almost as if the jersey is dirty.  Shine up that silver and we have a great uni.  Score: 2.5/5
Away - These are a better look simply because the black looks better against the white, as opposed to the silver-on-black that are worn at home.  Score: 3/5
Helmet - A classic helmet, this logo is one of the best in the league.  Score: 4.5/5
Final score: 10/15

NFL Jersey Rankings (part 3 of 9)

Over the past two posts, we've seen some classy uni entries from NFL teams (i.e. Steelers, Bills, and some others) as well as some dreadful ones (Bengals, I'm looking at you).  When looking at the AFC South, there is not much respect for the traditional football designs.  Quite frankly, the Colts are the only team whose jerseys have (and probably will) stand the test of time.

Indianapolis Colts
Home - A great set all around.  The stripes on the sleeves are timeless, as well as the simple white-on-blue throughout.  The piping is solid, and while I wish they would force the players to wear striped socks, not all do.  I loved the Steelers' home jerseys, but docked them points for not using block numbers.  The Colts go with the block numerals, so I'll give them a perfect score for this one.  Score: 5/5
Away - While I'm not nuts about white-on-white for the jersey and pants, the Colts still show that simple can work.  Score: 3.5/5
Helmet - While the logo is simple and plain, it still goes very well with both home and away jerseys.  As we've seen before (and as we'll see again), less change in a helmet design usually means a very nice overall package.  Score: 4.5/5
Final score: 13/15

Tennessee Titans
Home - I know a lot of teams wear blue as a primary color in the NFL (the Patriots, Bills, Colts, Texans, Chargers, Broncos, Giants, Cowboys, Lions, Bears, Panthers, and Rams all have a blue uni).  However, do the Titans find it necessary to use two shades of blue on the same shirt?  Another bone I have to pick with the Titans is the number font.  While it is different, I don't think it enhances the jersey one bit.  In fact, I think certain numbers can be hard to read when watching them on TV.  They wanted their own identity when they moved from Houston in the late 90's, but they would've been better served if they had stuck with the Houston Oilers color scheme.  Score: 2/5
Away - Slightly better, but the goofy number font is still there. What bothers me with this one is the blue shoulder yoke.  I'm sure it was added to break up the white-on-white, but this is where stripes come in handy (just look at the Colts' away unis).  Score: 2.5/5
Helmet - Technically, the logo is supposed to be a flaming shield.  However, it looks like a comet to me.  While I don't think it's much of an improvement, the secondary sword logo may work better.  Score: 2/5
Final score: 6.5/15

Jacksonville Jaguars
Home - I'm not nuts about the load of black.  However, the teal that the Jags wore from 1995-2011 wan't much better either.  They needed to break up the black, so they went with double piping (teal and white) that runs from the collar to mid-torso, then wraps around to the back.  It doesn't add much, and the piping on the pants does nothing either.  Score: 2/5
Away - Better, but not by much.  I think I may like these simply because I think the white top looks nicer than their black one.  Score: 2.5/5
Helmet - The logo is average and not inspiring, much like the history of the franchise.  To me, the head looks a bit oddly shaped -- I wonder if their secondary logo would be better on the helmet (just like the Titans).  Score: 2.5/5
FInal score: 7/15

Houston Texans
Home - The overall design is much more pleasing than the Titans and Jaguars.  My main issue with this uni combo is the pants.  I think they would look much better wearing white pants, but the blue will suffice for now (the piping is nice, I will admit).  I'm also not nuts about the numerical font nor the red on the shoulders (remember, sometimes plain is better).  Score: 2.5/5
Away - Better than the home, only because of the white-on-blue.  The splash of blue on the shoulders works a little better here because it is on white.  Score: 3/5
Helmet - This may be the most average of helmets/logos in the league.  When they play a team like the Titans, for example, the helmet looks spiffy.  When they play a team like the Colts or Steelers, though, it looks bland.  Score: 2.5/5
Final score: 8/15