The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for September 18, 2026, is number 725. This grid requires a mix of general sports terminology, knowledge of sports-themed television, and specific NFL roster awareness.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you are looking for a nudge in the right direction without seeing the full solution, these hints break down the four categories by theme.
Broad Category Hints
- Yellow: Terms used to describe a team or athlete currently winning a game.
- Green: Specific jargon used during a football special teams play.
- Blue: Titles of scripted or documentary series that aired on HBO.
- Purple: Last names of athletes associated with a specific NFL franchise in the AFC South.
Stronger Hints
- Yellow: Think of words you would use to say a team has more points than their opponent.
- Green: These terms are all related to what happens when a team decides to punt on a late down.
- Blue: One of these series focuses on the “Showtime” Lakers, while another follows a fictional retired football player turned financial manager.
- Purple: These are the surnames of players who have suited up for the Indianapolis Colts.
Warning: The full solution for puzzle #725 follows below.
NYT Connections: Sports Edition Answers for September 18
Yellow: In Front Of
Ahead, Leading, On top, Up
These four words are synonymous with being in the lead during a sporting event.
Green: Associated With Punting
Coffin corner, Fair catch, Fourth down, Hang time
These terms describe the mechanics and rules of punting in American football. A “Coffin Corner” punt refers to a strategic kick aimed at the sideline near the opponent’s end zone to pin them deep in their own territory. Hang time measures how long the ball remains in the air before being caught or hitting the ground.
Blue: HBO Sports Series
Ballers, Eastbound & Down, Hard Knocks, Winning Time
This group consists of popular sports-themed programming on HBO. Ballers stars Dwayne Johnson as a financial manager for NFL players, while Winning Time is a dramatized look at the Los Angeles Lakers’ rise in the 1980s. Hard Knocks is a long-running documentary series following different NFL teams through training camp.
Purple: Indianapolis Colts
Downs, Gardner, Key, Pierce
This category identifies players from the Indianapolis Colts roster. The names refer specifically to Josh Downs, Gardner Minshew, Devon Key, and Alec Pierce. While Gardner Minshew has played for several franchises, he is recognized here as part of the Colts’ recent quarterback history alongside teammates like Pierce and Downs.
