Sports Connections Hints: Jan 12, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 12, 2026 (2026-01-12). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #684

Puzzle #684 · 2026-01-12 · sports

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #684 for 2026-01-12, edition sports, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: DECATHLON EVENTS, ASSOCIATED WITH THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS, ASSOCIATED WITH C.J. STROUD and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

DECATHLON EVENTS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS
ASSOCIATED WITH C.J. STROUD
WHAT "SF" MIGHT REFER TO

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

DECATHLON EVENTS

100 METERS

LONG JUMP

SHOT PUT

DISCUS

ASSOCIATED WITH THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS

BLACK AND YELLOW

TERRIBLE TOWELS

RENEGADE

IMMACULATE RECEPTION

ASSOCIATED WITH C.J. STROUD

TEXANS

OHIO STATE

NO. 2 PICK

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

WHAT "SF" MIGHT REFER TO

SMALL FORWARD

SACRIFICE FLY

SEMIFINAL

49ERS

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.