The New York Times’ The Athletic released today’s Sports Edition of the popular puzzle game, Connections. This version tests knowledge of sports terminology, player names, and coaching roles. If you’re stuck, here’s a complete solution with explanations of each category.
Understanding the Puzzle
Connections challenges players to group four words together based on a shared theme. The difficulty varies, with categories ranging from straightforward to obscure. This edition features a mix of soccer trivia, football positions, shared names, and coaching titles.
Category Solutions
The puzzle is divided into four color-coded groups: Yellow (easiest), Green, Blue, and Purple (hardest).
Yellow – Soccer Statistic:
This group centers on common soccer (football) stats. The words are:
* Assist
* Goal
* Save
* Shot
Green – Roles on a Punt Play:
This category tests knowledge of American football special teams. The correct grouping is:
* Gunner
* Long Snapper
* Punter
* Returner
Blue – Sams:
This group is based on sports figures sharing the first name “Sam.” The answers are:
* Coffey (Kyle Coffey)
* Darnold (Sam Darnold)
* Kerr (Sam Kerr)
* Presti (Sam Presti)
Purple – ____ Coach:
The final category requires identifying different types of coaches. The words are:
* Assistant
* Bench
* Head
* Pitching
Where to Play
The Athletic’s Connections Sports Edition is available through The Athletic app or for free online. It is not included in the standard NYT Games app. The puzzle is designed to challenge sports fans, but also to be accessible to casual players with a bit of deduction.
Conclusion
Today’s Connections puzzle offers a blend of soccer, football, and name-based trivia. The purple category, as often, is the most challenging. If you enjoy word puzzles with a sports theme, this edition delivers.
