The New York Times has a new daily word game, and today’s edition is all about sports. Connections: Sports Edition launched in association with The Athletic, the sports arm of the New York Times, and today’s puzzle is built around football, fantasy apps, college mascots, and WNBA teams.
The game works like the original Connections, asking players to find the common thread between four words. Each puzzle shows 16 words split into four categories, color-coded from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest). Players get up to four mistakes before the game ends, and they can shuffle the board to spot connections better.
If you want to know the answers without solving the puzzle yourself, the NYT has posted the full solution online. The categories for today are:
- Yellow: An SEC Athlete
- Green: Fantasy Football Apps
- Blue: NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round
- Purple: Ends in a WNBA Team
The SEC Mascot Category
The yellow category asks players to spot animals tied to SEC schools. The correct words are BULLDOG, GATOR, RAZORBACK, and TIGER — the nicknames of four conference teams.
The category description calls them “SEC Athletes,” which is a bit loose since the words are team names, not actual players.
Fantasy Football Apps
The green category covers apps used for drafting and managing fantasy football leagues. The correct words are ESPN, FANTRAX, SLEEPER, and YAHOO — the four biggest names in the fantasy market.
This category is the clearest of the four, since fantasy apps are a familiar part of the football season. The apps “provide the publication’s sports coverage,” tying the category directly to The Athletic’s role in the NYT’s sports operations.
Second-Round Quarterbacks
The blue category focuses on quarterbacks drafted in the NFL’s second round. The correct words are DALTON, HURTS, LOCK, and SHOUGH — four players picked in that slot.
The category is described as “QB’s Drafted in Second Round,” which is slightly truncated from the full description. The full description reads “NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round.”
WNBA Teams
The purple category is the hardest, and it asks for words that end in the name of a WNBA team. The correct words are DAYDREAM, GRIMACES, HUSKY, and THUNDERSTORM — each ending in a team name.
This is the trickiest category because the words themselves do not describe sports or teams. The category is titled “Ends in a WNBA Team,” which matches the pattern exactly.
How to Play
The game resets after midnight, just like Wordle. Each new set of words gets harder, so the NYT has posted hints and tips to help players through the tougher puzzles.
Players can shuffle the board and rearrange the words to make spotting connections easier. Each category is color-coded, with yellow being the easiest and purple the hardest.
“There’s only one correct answer.”
That line, from the source’s description of the game, captures the whole approach. Multiple words will seem like they fit together, but only one set is right.
What We Make of It
The puzzle is a pleasant exercise, and the categories are clever enough to amuse even if you do not get them. The SEC mascot category is a simple pop quiz for anyone who grew up in the South, while the WNBA ending category requires a bit of lateral thinking.
The fantasy app category is the most obvious, since those four names dominate the market. The second-round quarterback category is similarly straightforward for anyone who follows the NFL draft.
For anyone who wants to play along, the NYT has posted the full solution online. The answers are listed above, and the categories are explained in full in the source’s write-up. The game will be back tomorrow with a fresh set of words, and the NYT will post more hints and tips to help players through the tougher puzzles.
If you are not already playing, today’s puzzle is a gentle introduction. The SEC mascot category is the easiest entry point, and the fantasy app category is a familiar topic for anyone who has ever managed a league. The quarterback and WNBA categories add a layer of difficulty, but the hints should point players in the right direction.
The puzzle is a fun way to spend a few minutes, and it rewards attention to detail. The categories are designed to be recognizable, even when the individual words are not. That is a clever design choice, and it makes the game accessible to anyone who follows sports, not just diehards.
The game is available on web browsers and mobile devices. The NYT’s coverage of today’s puzzle includes links to other games, including NYT Strands and Mashable’s games hub, which offers Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crosswords.
For anyone who missed today’s puzzle, the solution is posted in full. The game will be back tomorrow, and the NYT will continue posting hints and tips to help players through the tougher puzzles.
The puzzle is a small pleasure, and it is best enjoyed without too much pressure. The categories are designed to be recognizable, and the hints are generous enough to nudge players toward the right answers.
Source material: “NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 28, 2026,” Mashable.
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