In this episode of Saturday vs Sunday, John Barban and Geoff Dover turn their attention to one of the most overlooked but visually powerful parts of football: NFL helmets. While most offseasons are filled with speculation and silence, John and Jeff fill the void by diving deep into which helmets add to the hype, the aesthetic, and the nostalgia of pro football.The guys break down their personal top 10 NFL helmets, with a mix of current designs, throwbacks, and alternates. Right out of the gate, John’s love for the baby blue Denver Broncos throwback shines through—calling it the best color scheme in the league. Jeff agrees that it adds something to the broadcast when a team rolls out an alternate look that pops on TV.They praise the Detroit Lions’ stretched-out lion throwback, with John describing it as a “cement-mixer version” of the logo—and that’s a compliment. The conversation moves quickly from the hilariously retro (like the Dolphins helmet featuring a dolphin wearing a helmet) to the undisputed classics like the Raiders’ silver and black. That timeless combo gets the nod as “unbeatable.”They also highlight how some alternate looks beat the standard—the Bears’ orange, Texans’ battle red, and Seahawks’ retro silver-blue all earn major points. These versions, they argue, look better than the modern base helmets, both in person and on camera. The Bengals’ white tiger alternate gets singled out as one of the most visually creative helmets in the league.But it’s not all praise. The Browns come under fire for what John bluntly calls “just do better.” The Jaguars’ half-painted helmet earns some side-eye too. They also float the idea that teams like the Ravens and Falcons should permanently switch to their more dynamic alternates.Jeff adds that what makes a helmet stand out is how it looks on TV—not just on a shelf. It’s not just nostalgia or tradition. A great helmet literally makes the game more fun to watch. Uniform combos, contrast, and clean color schemes matter in today’s ultra-visual NFL product.The episode finishes with shout-outs to teams that balance iconic status with modern appeal (like the Steelers and Rams), while also admitting that sometimes, the logo or color combo just doesn’t hit—sorry, Cardinals and Panthers.This episode is a perfect blend of aesthetic appreciation, fan nostalgia, and on-screen analysis. Whether you love the tradition of the silver and black or the chaos of alternate color explosions, John and Jeff break down which NFL helmets are truly elite—and which need a redesign.Let us know in the comments: What’s the best helmet in the league today? And what team needs to make a change ASAP?
