The NFL has returned alternate helmets in 2022: Ranking all 13 from best to worst

For the first time in a decade, the NFL is permitting teams to add a second helmet to their uniform inventories. This enables some clubs to celebrate their heritage with throwback looks, while others take a different route by introducing an entirely new crown to their repertoire.

(Following the 2012 season, the league had limited each team to one helmet – the rationale being that players were better protected by one piece of properly fitted headgear. That rule meant only teams like the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, for example, could affect a retro look, needing only to swap out helmet decals. Squads opting to use alternate helmets must ensure each player's is the same model and size as his primary helmet, and it must be worn in practice preceding games when it's used.)

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The rollout began in Week 4, the Bengals unveiling their long-anticipated "White Bengal" ensemble on "Thursday Night Football." It was a spectacular alternative for a franchise that had worn orange lids for the balance of its 55-year existence.

But don't expect all the new reveals to go so well. Here's a ranking of the 13 teams that will be using the extra helmet option in 2022, one of them a double dipper:

1. Cincinnati Bengals

They debuted their black and mostly white Color Rush uniforms in 2016. Now, the white helmet with the black tiger stripes has finally completes that "White Bengal" presentation as a nicely distinguished substitute for a team that had been doing little more than mucking up its primary jerseys with unnecessary swatching and such for nearly 20 years. A record 67,260 fans filed into Paycor Stadium last week to celebrate the whiteout theme.

2. New England Patriots

No matter how you feel about this team – and most fans are on one end of the spectrum or the other – most seem to universally prefer the white "Pat Patriot" helmet that dates to New England's AFL days. Joyously, it will return this Sunday – and perhaps dually commemorate rookie QB Bailey Zappe's first start.

3. New Orleans Saints

They broke out their new black helmets for last weekend's game in London. Largely a reversal of their familiar domes, the alternates have black shells with the signature fleur-de-lis logo in gold on the side with a stream of smaller ones in a tapering pattern down the center line – similar to the feathers used by the Seattle Seahawks. A pretty sharp look for the Saints, who have almost always looked clean in their various combinations of "old gold," black and white ... that 2002 experiment with golden jerseys notwithstanding.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Their throwbacks don't rate the acclaim of New England's – perhaps it has something to do with trailing the Patriots by six Lombardi Trophies, including the Super Bowl 51 gift – but Atlanta's original red helmets are pretty slick. The Falcons hadn't been able to do more lately than slap their original logo on the black helmets, calling back their briefly successful 1990s era, which included the franchise's first Super Bowl loss following the 1998 campaign. But the red helms with the black, white and gold striping truly evoke the past. This original scheme was devised as a way to pay tribute to the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. It returns in Week 6.

5. New York Giants

We had to double check on this one, as they'd been using the block "GIANTS" logo for several years. This past weekend, they resurfaced their Lawrence Taylor-era blue jerseys with the retro logo as well – which was affixed to a new helmet with a slightly darker shade of blue than what the G-Men typically wear.

6. Washington Commanders

Their alternate uniforms topped with a black helmet might be the least objectionable aspect of their botched rebrand. Fielded for the first time in Sunday's loss at Dallas, the military stylization of the uniform and the D.C. flag on the shoulders are nice details. The black helmet itself is unique as the team's new "W" logo sits on the forehead with the players' jersey numbers on the sides. Frankly, the Commanders should've made this their new primary uniform given it would have further distanced the team from its burgundy and gold color scheme – which only serves as trim on the black kit – that many feel still inextricably links the franchise to its controversial former name.

7. Dallas Cowboys

Shocker, Jerry Jones is going to market you something (sort of) new. In Week 17, Dallas will wear a white matte helmet with its iconic star logo, the one bordered by white and blue outlines.

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7a. Cowboys, part II

Bonus: If you're a fan of the throwback look Dallas has often featured on Thanksgiving in the past, welp, that's also back for Turkey Day this year – differentiated by the star logo on the helmet stripped of outlines.

8. Houston Texans

Their new "Battle Red" helmet will debut in Week 9 against the Eagles and mark the first time the Texans have worn anything other than their "Deep Steel Blue" headgear in the franchise's 21-season history. Unfortunately, this aligns with the team's generally unimaginative look.

9. Philadelphia Eagles

If you weren't paying close attention, this might almost go unnoticed. But they'll use black helmets – to be worn with their black jerseys and pants – in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers ... not that black headgear deviates much from the Eagles' standard "Midnight Green." But be patient, Philly fans, owner Jeffrey Lurie pledged earlier this year that the beloved Kelly Green helmets (and uniforms) will return in 2023 ... after Nike's had time to get the color fabrication just right.

10. Carolina Panthers

If you're sensing a proliferation of black helmets and feeling like you're getting transported back to the 1990s – when it seemed like professional sports teams across the spectrum wanted to add black to their uniform palettes – then, yes, you're correct. Add the Panthers, who are essentially subbing matte black for silver, with the big reveal coming for Week 10's Thursday night matchup against Atlanta. Similar to Philly, Carolina will go all black that night.

11. Chicago Bears

For the first time in their 103-season history, the Bears will wear a helmet that isn't navy blue. Unfortunately, what you'll witness in Weeks 6 and 8 is an orange helmet as uninspired as the Texans' "Battle Red" alternate ... and it's probably worse as a player if you resemble the headless horseman. We'd suggest sticking with the pleasing winged throwbacks and/or bringing back the white "C" logo from the Butkus and Sayers years on occasion.

12. New York Jets

They're also going to sport matte "Stealth Black" three times this season, the team's recently changed logo switching from white to green. Who asked for this? Great question. They should take a cue from the crosstown Giants and bring back the highly preferable 1980s and '90s logo in some form or fashion.

13. Arizona Cardinals

Continuing the theme from the Bears, Jets, Panthers and Texans – meh. In fairness, maybe Arizona's black helmets that will be paired with both of the Cards' alternate black jerseys – yes, they have two – are a slight improvement. But that's to be expected when you have the league's worst uniforms. Back to the drawing board ...

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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New NFL helmets: Ranking all 13 in 2022 uniforms from best to worst