The questions from today’s “February 8, 2026” on NYT Mini Crossword are a little bit brain teaser. Many people are looking for an answer to it. Here we are sharing answers for clues.
Clue: Successful gain of ten yards, when combined with this answer’s direction?
Answer: FIRST
Explanation:
The clue “Successful gain of ten yards, when combined with this answer’s direction?” leads to the answer “FIRST.” This answer is a reference to American football, where the goal of the offensive team is to gain at least ten yards within a set of four downs in order to achieve a “first down.” This allows the team another set of downs to continue their drive toward the opponent’s end zone. The term “FIRST” specifically refers to this achievement, as in “first down,” indicating the team has successfully advanced the required distance. The clue cleverly hints at this concept by mentioning a “successful gain of ten yards” as well as the phrase “when combined with this answer’s direction,” which connects to the directional aspect of a “first down.” In this context, “direction” could imply the forward progression on the field necessary to keep possession of the ball. This answer demonstrates the crossword’s knack for using wordplay and sports terminology to evoke common phrases familiar to fans of American football.
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