Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Sept. 10, #717

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle was kind of tough, I thought. If you’re struggling with the puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Yellow group hint: Color of this category.

Green group hint: City of Angels.

Blue group hint: Bay Area quarterback.

Purple group hint: Not defensive.

Yellow group: Yellow things.

Green group: LA football teams.

Blue group: Associated with Brock Purdy.

Purple group: Offensive ____.

The theme is yellow things.

The four answers are first-down line, flag, Packers helmet and uprights.

The theme is LA football teams.

The four answers are Chargers, Rams, UCLA and USC.

The theme is associated with Brock Purdy.

The four answers are 13, 49ers, Iowa State and Mr. Irrelevant.

The theme is offensive ____.

The four answers are guard, lineman, pass interference and tackle.

The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle can be tough, but it really depends on which sports you know the most about. My husband aces anything having to do with Formula 1, my best friend is a hockey buff, and I can answer any question about Minnesota teams.

That said, it’s hard to pick the toughest Connections categories, but here are some I found exceptionally mind-blowing.

#1: Serie A Clubs. Answers: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma.

#2: WNBA MVPs. Answers: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles and Stewart.

#3: Premier League team nicknames. Answers: Bees, Cherries, Foxes and Hammers.

#4: Homophones of NBA player names. Answers: Barns, Connect, Heart and Hero.

CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. See full bio