And Then There Were Four: NFL Conference Championships

By Phil Hecken
Follow @PhilHecken

Good Sunday Morning, everyone — hope everyone had a good Saturday, and you’re still staying safe.

While the Supe gets all the headlines (and rightfully so, as it determines the NFL Champion), my favorite pro football weekend is always the NFC and AFC Championship games. It’s largely free of the hype, the pomp and circumstance — even in a COVID world, there will still be SB pomp — and all about the final step to reaching the big game. Two huge games on one Sunday afternoon. And this year we should have two great looking Conference Championships, and, if the Packers and Chiefs (today’s home teams and favorites) win, a rematch of Super Bowl I, with those teams wearing almost identical uniforms to the ones they wore 55 years ago. To wit:

Yes, I made that graphic a couple weeks ago, hoping we’d get to see a Pack/Chiefs rematch (and I still do). We’re still a ways away from that (last year both the Pack and Chiefs played in the NFC and AFC championships, but only the Chiefs made it to the Supe), but that was then. The Packers were also not the home team or favorites. This year, they are the favorites and NFC #1 seed, as are the Chiefs over in the AFC.

For those of you who are weekend readers, you know I tried to predict the playoff winners by “better uni” — and after a dreadful Wild Card weekend where I went 1-4-1, I correctly picked every game last weekend (4-0). Let’s do this one more time, for all the marbles…

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NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3:05 pm; FOX
Packers are 3.5 point favorites

As I said last weekend, the Packers’ home green and gold uniforms are my favorite in the NFL, so no matter who they are playing or what they wear, I’d take the Pack. And against the Bucs — who are going pewter/white/pewter again this week — it’s no contest. Now, earlier this season, the Packers played the Bucs (in Tampa) and both teams wore the the same uniform combos they’ll wear today. The “better uni” was not triumphant back then, with the Bucs trouncing the Pack 38-10. I’m hoping the uni gods get it correct today.

Both games (Pack/Bucs and Chiefs/Bills) will feature uni-symmetry, of a sort: in the first game, both teams’ helmets match their pants, while in the second game, both teams will feature same color helmets and jerseys. With very few exceptions, I like it when team uniforms match either pants or jerseys with helmets. When both teams match either pants (Pack/Bucs) or jerseys (Bills/Chiefs) in the same matchup, I like it even more.

I’m taking the Pack, in what could be a cold, windy and possibly inclement (snow/sleet) weather game.

The Pick: Packers -3.5

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AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
6:40 pm; CBS
Chiefs are a 2.5 point favorite

Unlike the first game, this is a much tougher call. “Better uni” is obviously mostly one’s opinion, and while the Chiefs red/red/white is an all time classic, that doesn’t mean it has always resonated with me. If it were the Chiefs in road unis (red/white/red), I’d be much more inclined to pick them. Conversely, I much prefer the Bills in their home (white/blue/white) unis to their white/white/blue roads. The one saving grace for the Bills is they are choosing to wear white socks, which looks a bazillion times better than when they wear blue socks, giving them the leotard effect. Don’t get me wrong — both uniforms we’ll see today are still great — it just could look even better. It’s not quite a coin flip, but I’m giving the slight uni-edge to the Chiefs.

The Pick: Chiefs -2.5

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Historically, these teams have played each other a number of times (in fact, until realignment moved the Bucs to the NFC South, we would see the “Battle of the Bays” twice a season for a few decades), and the Chiefs and Bills entered the AFL together in 1960. Thanks to the fantastic Gridiron Uniform Database, we can see all the uni matchups over the years between the Packers & Buccaneers and Chiefs & Bills. There have been some good looking and some not-so-good looking games between the teams. Here’s (IMO) the best and worst of each:

WORST PACK/BUCS MATCHUP

Fortunately, the Bucs only once wore their red/pewter alarm clock uniforms against the Pack, and that was without doubt, the worst looking matchup between the two teams. As far as best…

BEST PACK/BUCS MATCHUP

There are any number of games you could select, back when the Bucs wore their creamsicle uniforms. I picked one where the Bucs wore their orange home jerseys (many times at home they wore white jerseys), as it is a great color palate special. Even though I prefer the Pack in green jerseys, their gold/white/gold vs. the white/orange/white of the Bucs was dee-vine! Here’s hoping the “one shell rule” is abolished so we can see the Bucs back in those colors again.

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WORST CHIEFS/BILLS MATCHUP

Ugh. The Bills actually wore that wretched uniform set from 2002 through 2010. And while their mono-blue combo was probably their worst, when they went white/blue (with a red helmet), it was pretty awful. People forget how bad those old Bills uniforms were, with their red/navy yokes, royal numbers and giant red side panels, but they were pretty awful. Once they came to their senses in 2011, wearing their current fauxbacks, they instantly became a top 10 uniform team again.

BEST CHIEFS/BILLS MATCHUP

There are probably a number to choose from, but any time the Bills go white/blue/white against the Chiefs in red/white/red, we have a fantastic looking matchup.

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So there you have it: two games today (the best pro football Sunday there is), and both will be good looking games, which from a Uni Watching perspective, is really all that matters. And if the uni gods have their say, we’ll see the Pack & Chiefs emerge victorious, setting up a Supe rematch 55 years in the making.

Uni Concepts & Tweaks

Time for more Uni Tweaks from the UW readership.

I hope you guys like this feature and will want to continue to submit your concepts and tweaks to me. If you do, Shoot me an E-mail (Phil (dot) Hecken (at) gmail (dot) com).

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Today’s set of concepts come from Adam Ross, who has a Detroit Pistons rebrand. This was originally sent to Paul, who offered it to me for the “Tweaks” section.

He writes,

HI hope you and your family have stayed safe and sound during this crazy year. It’s been awhile since I wrote you (via different email), but one thing hasn’t changed: my desire to rebrand the Detroit Pistons. I started this project the 3rd of January [of 2020] after I got laid off on NYE morning in a text (smh)…many, many hours later, it’s finished.

Collaborated with @eastthirdstudio; he forged the logo/colors, I focused on the jerseys. Would love your thoughts and criticisms.

• City Edition
• Icon
• Association
• Statement (red)
• Statement II (navy)
• Earned

Cheers, and a Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Adam Ross

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LOGO:

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ICON:

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ASSOCIATION:

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CITY:

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EARNED:

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STATEMENT (red):

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STATEMENT (blue):

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Thanks Adam!

OK readers (and concepters). If you have some tweaks or concepts, shoot ’em my way with a brief description of your creation and I’ll run ’em here.

Guess The Game…

from the scoreboard

Today’s scoreboard comes from Not Scott Norwood.

The premise of the game (GTGFTS) is simple: I’ll post a scoreboard and you guys simply identify the game depicted. In the past, I don’t know if I’ve ever completely stumped you (some are easier than others).

Here’s the Scoreboard. In the comments below, try to identify the game (date & location, as well as final score). If anything noteworthy occurred during the game, please add that in (and if you were AT the game, well bonus points for you!):

Please continue sending these in! You’re welcome to send me any scoreboard photos (with answers please), and I’ll keep running them.

Click to enlarge

Magnets back in stock: Paul here. I’ve procured another small supply of winged stirrup magnets (but not the round ones, sorry). They measure about 3″ x 3″, and they’re thin and flexible, so they’ll conform to curved surfaces as well as flat ones.

I have a very limited supply of these. They’re available here.

Too Good For The Ticker

Got the following note and pics from Scott Wilkinson, and it’s simply too good for the ticker:

Hey fellas,

I’m not sure if you’re interested but I came across this awesome (in my opinion) baseball find. My dad passed away and left some great sports items for me. This is the 1979 “Official Baseball Rules” book.

A couple of things that struck me:

1) I see the MLB official logo in the ASG logo. I’ve never seen that “baseball” logo, though. I’m sure you guys as aficionados are familiar with this logo but some backstory would be cool.

2) I love the way they placed the Mariners “M” in the star of the 50th all star game logo. The early days of creativity like this?

I’ve also included some pics from the inside. I like the Kuhn commissioner pic but my favorite is the recommended dimensions of the dirt for the pitchers mound!

Maybe you can use this.

Thanks for all you do and I love reading Uni Watch every day!!

Scott Wilkinson

Thanks Scott. And those photos? Check these out:

OK, now on to the ticker!

Uni Watch News Ticker
By Phil

Baseball News: The Atlanta Braves have resisted a name change for many years, but Henry Aaron’s death has renewed calls for a change to ‘the Hammers’ (Washington Post link). From David Goodfriend. … The Cleveland baseball team has been granted an extension of time to file an opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board for applications for Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Warriors, Cleveland Natives, and Cleveland Foresters.

Football News: For the NFC Championship game today, Leonard Fournette of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the name “Jordan Davis” written on the back of his helmet to bring awareness to Jordan’s story. … Anyone ever hear of the Tonawanda Kardex? They were a real team and are currently a real Retro Bowl team in the RBA, managed by one of the true OGs of the community, SKOL! (from OC Ospreys). … Could royal blue helmets be in BYU’s future?

Hockey News: “A couple of pieces of information I found from Goalie Gear Nerd which I would like to pass along for the Ticker,” writes Wade Heidt. “Canadiens G Carey Price has a second new mask. He has been wearing it here at practice in Vancouver as the Canadiens have been in town for a series.” Also, The Devils just acquired Aaron Dell from the Maple Leafs. Check out his new Devils pads. … Also from Wade, the Dallas Stars raise 2020 Western Conference Championship banner. “There was a delayed start to the season for the Stars due to COVID issues but they have now hit the ice. Here is the 2020 Western Conference Championship banner they raised to the rafters on Friday night.” … It’s not quite approaching NBA ridiculousness, but this season the St. Louis Blues will have five different uniforms at their disposal. … I loves me some color vs. color in hockey, but this green vs sky blue in the NWHL last night wasn’t necessarily the best combo (from L.J. Sparvero). … Last night Corey Perry made his Montreal Canadiens debut. He wore 94, as the number 10 he wore in Anaheim & Dallas is retired in Montreal for Guy Lafleur. Perry also briefly wore 61 in Anaheim to begin his career (from James Beattie).

NBA/College/Basketball News: The Ole Miss men’s basketball program celebrated the 20th anniversary of their run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2001 by wearing throwback uniforms during Saturday’s game against Texas A&M. … Check out this big dunk in a high school game (presumably), which brings down the entire basket support, which was suspended from the ceiling (from Mike Chamernik). … Also from Mike, here’s a new one (to me anyway): Glare from the sun delayed an afternoon game between Providence and Villanova. … One more from Mike: 76ers C Dwight Howard suffered a major tear to his shorts while jostling with Pistons F Josh Jackson for a rebound during last night’s game. … The Score has deemed the Toronto Raptors throwback uni the “NBA’s Finest”. … Security “hilariously” stopped Bam Adebayo from swapping jerseys with Kyrie Irving after last night’s Heat vs. Nets game.

Soccer News: The backlash against the rebranding of Montreal’s Major League Soccer franchise continues. And now, it seems, the club has caused a rift with one of its most-devoted base of supporters (from Wade Heidt. … Yan Dhanda of Swansea City was wearing a mask in an FA Cup match vs. Nottingham Forest. Here’s a bit more on that (From Terry Mark). … Looks like a new shirt for Kawasaki Frontale (from Ed Żelaski). … Here’s the Yokohama F.Marinos 2021 look (from Jeremy Brahm). … There’s a new centennial badge for Raków Częstochowa (from Ed Żelaski). … More from Ed: a closer look at the Tokyo Verdy 2021 kit, and the Oita Trinita 2021 shirts.

Grab Bag: The Bryan (TX) Police Department has designed new badges to honor its 150th year of service to community. The commemorative badges display the seal of the State of Texas w/ an eagle & American Flag (from Timmy Donahue). … Here’s how Tokyo Verdy will look across all of its teams in 2021 (from Jeremy Brahm). … An official at University of Sioux Falls says Sen. Marco Rubio got ahold of their hat/T-shirt due to a laundry mixup at the Senate gym. Rubio has appeared publicly several times wearing USF Cougars gear (from our own Alex Hider). … “I was making dinner for my family this evening and noticed the packing for Trader Joe’s garlic naan had an aesthetically pleasure Uni Watch colored stripe pattern,” writes Edwin (aka “Squatchee on Top”). “I had to pass it along to UWHQ.”

And finally… that’s it for me this weekend. Everyone enjoy the conference championships today (Go Pack & Chiefs!), or whatever other sports or non-sports you may wish to watch or partake in (if you partake, make sure to be safe!).

Catch you guys back here next weekend. Everyone have a good week!

Peace,

PH