**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Challenge for Sports Lovers**
*Connections: Sports Edition* offers an innovative twist on the well-known [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), crafted particularly for sports fans.
Like the original *Connections*, this game invites players to uncover hidden connections among words. Similar to *Wordle*, it resets every day at midnight, with each puzzle increasing in difficulty. If you encounter difficulties, we have hints and tactics to assist you.
If you’re simply looking for today’s solution, scroll to the bottom of this article. Otherwise, continue reading for useful hints and advice.
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### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
This newest word game from *The New York Times* is developed in partnership with *The Athletic*, the publication’s sports arm. *Connections* is accessible on both web and mobile platforms, where the aim is to group four words that share a common theme.
Each puzzle features 16 words divided into four categories. These categories can range from book titles to software names, countries, and beyond. While several words may appear to fit together, only one correct grouping exists.
When a player accurately identifies a set of four related words, those words are cleared from the board. However, incorrect guesses are counted as errors, and players are allowed up to four errors before the game concludes.
To simplify things, players can shuffle the board to more easily identify connections. The levels of difficulty are color-coded:
– **Yellow** – Easiest
– **Green** – Moderate
– **Blue** – Challenging
– **Purple** – Most difficult
Similar to *Wordle*, players have the option to share their results on social media.
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### Hint for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Looking for a hint without giving away the answers? Here are some clues:
– **Yellow:** Methods to score in football
– **Green:** Favorite snacks for game day
– **Blue:** Paths a receiver might take
– **Purple:** Football positions that end with “back”
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Need additional help? Here are today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Scoring plays
– **Green:** Game day snacks
– **Blue:** Receiver routes
– **Purple:** _______back
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Answers
Eager for the answers? This is your final opportunity to solve the puzzle before we disclose the answers!
The answers to *Connections: Sports Edition* #139 are:
– **Scoring plays** – EXTRA POINT, FIELD GOAL, SAFETY, TOUCHDOWN
– **Game day snacks** – CHIPS, NACHOS, PIZZA, WINGS
– **Receiver routes** – CURL, FLY, HOOK, SLANT
– **_______back** – CORNER, FULL, QUARTER, TAIL
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### More Puzzles to Engage With
Didn’t solve today’s puzzle? No problem—there’s a new *Connections* challenge released daily, and we’ll return with more hints and answers.
Searching for more word games? Try [today’s *Wordle*](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-february-9-2025) or check out [NYT Strands hints and solutions](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-february-9).
Want to explore even more puzzles? Head over to [Mashable’s Games Hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and additional games!
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Locate the solution here](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-9-2025).