These are the clues and answers for the Sunday, February 9, 2025 NYT Mini Crossword. The puzzle’s football references point to Super Bowl LIX. Spoilers follow.
Sunday, February 9 NYT Mini Crossword answers
Spoiler notice: The answers are listed below.
Across
- 1. “Bengal or lion” — CAT
- 4. “Patrick Mahomes, for his entire N.F.L. career” — CHIEF
- 6. “Kendrick ____, Super Bowl LIX halftime act” — LAMAR
- 7. “Opposing side” — ENEMY
- 9. “Super Bowl scores, for short” — TDS
Down
- 1. “‘E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!,’ for one” — CHANT
- 2. “Targeted, as a football throw” — AIMED
- 3. “Play groups?” — TEAMS
- 4. “The Browns, on NFL scoreboards” — CLE
- 5. “Cook in the pan” — FRY
Why the clues point to Super Bowl LIX
The football references link several entries: Patrick Mahomes’s team is the Chiefs, Kendrick Lamar performed at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, and “TDS” abbreviates touchdowns. The Eagles chant, Cleveland’s “CLE” scoreboard abbreviation, and “TEAMS” reinforce the football theme. Forbes described the Mini as having a Super Bowl theme.
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Where to play the NYT Mini and find past puzzles
The New York Times Help Center says the Mini is available to subscribers whose plan includes Games, including All Access, Home Delivery, and Games subscriptions. It can be played in the NYT Games app, on NYTimes.com/crosswords, or in the News app. Past Minis are available in the archive on the web and in the Games app. The Help Center describes the goal as filling white squares with letters to make crossing words or phrases from the Across and Down clues; its tools can check or reveal a square, an answer, or the whole puzzle. NYT Help Center: The Mini Crossword.
When the Sunday Mini becomes available
The NYT Help Center currently says daily Minis are available the evening before their publish date, with Sunday puzzles available at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday. Forbes’s February 8, 2025 article instead reported a 3 p.m. Saturday release for this Sunday puzzle; that historical timing differs from the Help Center’s current general schedule.
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