Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. The blue group is a bit funny, once you recognize the connection. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Jan. 17, 2026.
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is in No. 1 position. The four answers are first, front, lead and pole.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is AFC East teams. The four answers are Buffalo, Miami, New England and New York.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is Jeffs. The four answers are Bagwell, Kent, Saturday and Van Gundy.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is Rockets. The four answers are Clemens, Houston, Richard and Toledo.
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