Lions’ Playoff Dreams Hit a Snag as NFL Uniform Rules Bench New Black Jerseys

The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their Saturday night playoff showdown against the Washington Commanders in the divisional round. However, fans hoping to see the team don their sleek new black uniforms will be disappointed. Due to NFL regulations, alternate jerseys, including Color Rush, Classic, and other optional designs, are prohibited in postseason games.

According to the league’s postseason manual, “Optional uniforms… may not be worn in the postseason. This includes optional helmets and pants paired with primary jerseys. Postseason uniform designation must include Primary Jersey color (team color or white) and Primary Pant color choices.”

The Lions’ black jerseys debuted this season to much acclaim, and the team performed well in them, finishing with a 2-1 record. They defeated the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 4 and secured a dramatic Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings to clinch the NFC’s top seed. Their lone loss in black came in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, ending an 11-game win streak.

With the black jerseys off the table, the Lions could return to their “blueberries” look—Honolulu Blue jerseys paired with matching pants. This all-blue combination has been a good luck charm for Detroit, as the team boasts an unbeaten 5-0 record in them this season. In fact, the Lions haven’t lost a home game in “blueberries” since 2020, solidifying the uniform’s status as a fan favorite.

Last postseason, the Lions wore all-blue for both home playoff victories, including wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, as they chase their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991, they’ll once again lean on tradition and good fortune in the familiar Honolulu Blue.