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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesLooking for the hints and answers to NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle #85? It was published on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Start with the four spoiler-safe category clues below, then open the full solutions when you are ready.
Connections: Sports Edition #85 hints
The puzzle asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four, with each group sharing a connection. These category clues reveal the themes without giving away the tiles:
- Yellow: Redo
- Green: Famous in the ring
- Blue: Basketball coaches (not-pro)
- Purple: Partial football team names
Full answers for December 17, 2024
Spoilers below: The four groups and their words are:
- Yellow — Second chance: DO-OVER, MULLIGAN, REPECHAGE, RETRY
- Green — Famous boxers: ALI, FOREMAN, LEWIS, LISTON
- Blue — Men’s college basketball coaches: DREW, FEW, OATS, SELF
- Purple — First names or starts of NFL team names: BEN, BILL, DOLPH, PAT
How the wordplay connects
Second chance
DO-OVER and RETRY both mean trying again. A MULLIGAN is a do-over, especially in golf, while a REPECHAGE is a second-chance round in some sporting competitions.
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Famous boxers
ALI, FOREMAN, LEWIS, and LISTON point to heavyweight boxing champions Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Lennox Lewis, and Sonny Liston.
Men’s college basketball coaches
DREW, FEW, OATS, and SELF are surnames of men’s college basketball coaches: Scott Drew, Mark Few, Nate Oats, and Bill Self.
Rank #2
- Sports Heroes: A celebration of legendary athletes, this puzzle captures moments of triumph, resilience, and dedication, evoking the inspiration and admiration sports heroes bring to fans everywhere.
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First names or starts of NFL team names
BEN, BILL, DOLPH, and PAT work as first names and as the opening parts of the NFL team names Bengals, Bills, Dolphins, and Patriots.
Tips for solving this puzzle
- Look for different meanings of familiar words. MULLIGAN may point to golf, but here it belongs with other ways to get another try.
- Consider surnames as well as full names. Short entries such as FEW and OATS can identify coaches when read as surnames.
- Save the broadest wordplay for last. BEN, BILL, DOLPH, and PAT can look like ordinary first names until you notice their NFL-team connections.
Where to play Connections
The puzzle guide describes Connections as playable in a web browser or on mobile devices. The available answer listing does not establish current access terms or subscription requirements. The December 17, 2024 answer guide lists this as Sports Edition puzzle #85.
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