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NYT Connections Sports Edition · #665

NYT Connections Sports Edition Hints & Answers (#665) — July 20, 2026

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“Start with words that clearly name sports gear or events before looking at names or common phrases.Today's puzzle has CUP, which also appeared in Connections #657 (Jul 12, 2026). It was part of award-related terms.”

NYT Sports Connections hints for July 20, 2026

Three levels of help — a definition for every word, colour-coded group nudges, and a heads-up on the traps. Skip to all answers →

1

Word clues

A spoiler-free definition for every word in the grid. Tap the eye on any card to reveal which colour-group it belongs to.

1 ARMCHAIRThe phrase for casual observers at home.
2 BASEBALLThe mitt worn by fielders in that sport.
3 BATTINGThe glove used by hitters at the plate.
4 BOXINGYou're probably thinking of the sport, but here it names a glove type.
5 BROWNYou're probably thinking of the color, but here it is a player surname.
6 COUCHYou're probably thinking of a piece of furniture, but here it is a quarterback surname.
7 CUPA trophy awarded to the winner of many leagues.
8 FRANCHISEThe phrase for the long-term team leader at the position.
9 GARRETTThe defensive end taken first overall in 2017.
10 GOALKEEPERThe padded glove for soccer or hockey net minders.
11 INVITATIONALAn event open only to those asked to join.
12 MAYFIELDThe quarterback taken first overall in 2018.
13 MONDAY MORNINGThe phrase for fans who criticize after the game.
14 SERIESLooks like TV seasons; here it names a set of games.
15 STARTINGThe phrase for the main signal caller on game day.
16 TOURNAMENTA bracket-style contest to crown a champion.
2

Group hints

Four colour-coded groups, easiest → hardest. Every button reveals the hint, the category name, or a single word — tap only what you need.

See Hint Winners often lift or compete in these.
See Group TERMS FOR COMPETITIONS
See WordCUP
See WordINVITATIONAL
See WordTOURNAMENT
See WordSERIES
See Hint Players wear these to protect their hands in action.
See Group TYPES OF GLOVES
See WordBOXING
See WordBASEBALL
See WordBATTING
See WordGOALKEEPER
See Hint These belong to certain first overall selections.
See Group PLAYERS BROWNS HAVE DRAFTED NO. 1 OVERALL
See WordCOUCH
See WordGARRETT
See WordMAYFIELD
See WordBROWN
See Hint These describe different roles for the main passer.
See Group _____ QUARTERBACK
See WordMONDAY MORNING
See WordSTARTING
See WordARMCHAIR
See WordFRANCHISE
3

Words the puzzle wants you to mis-group

Read these before you guess — they're the words most likely to break a streak. Tap for the trap.

1 COUCH Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a piece of furniture, but here the puzzle is using it as a surname, not household items.
2 BROWN Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the color, but here the puzzle is using it as a surname, not a shade.
3 BOXING Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the sport, but here the puzzle is using it as a type of glove, not the activity itself.
4 SERIES Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of TV seasons or sets, but here the puzzle is using it as a term for competitions, not media.

NYT Sports Connections answers for July 20, 2026

All four groups revealed, easiest first. Each card holds the theme, the four words, and why the group works.

Y TERMS FOR COMPETITIONS · Yellow · easiest
  • CUP
  • INVITATIONAL
  • TOURNAMENT
  • SERIES

CUP, INVITATIONAL, TOURNAMENT and SERIES are all terms for competitions. SERIES is the sneakiest because it often reads first as TV seasons rather than a sports event like the World Series.

G TYPES OF GLOVES · Green · easy
  • BOXING
  • BASEBALL
  • BATTING
  • GOALKEEPER

BOXING, BASEBALL, BATTING and GOALKEEPER are all types of gloves. BOXING is the sneakiest because it first reads as the sport rather than the glove type.

B PLAYERS BROWNS HAVE DRAFTED NO. 1 OVERALL · Blue · medium
  • COUCH
  • GARRETT
  • MAYFIELD
  • BROWN

COUCH, GARRETT, MAYFIELD and BROWN are all players the Browns have drafted No. 1 overall. COUCH is the sneakiest because it first reads as furniture rather than a quarterback's surname.

P _____ QUARTERBACK · Purple · hardest
  • MONDAY MORNING
  • STARTING
  • ARMCHAIR
  • FRANCHISE

MONDAY MORNING, STARTING, ARMCHAIR and FRANCHISE are all phrases that precede 'quarterback'. MONDAY MORNING is the sneakiest because it first reads as a day rather than the phrase for second-guessers.

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