If you played the Connections: Sports Edition puzzle on July 27, 2026 (#672) and wondered what each sports term actually means, this guide breaks down the definition and context behind all 16 words. Whether you cracked the board or came looking afterward, understanding the athletic history behind BEARS, BILLS, BRONCOS, BUCCANEERS, BLACKHAWKS, BLUE JACKETS, BLUES, BRUINS, BEARCATS, BENGALS, BIG RED MACHINE, BURROW, BAYER, BAYERN, BERLIN and BORUSSIA makes the whole puzzle click into place.
Below you'll find every word defined and organized by its Connections category. If you want gentle nudges instead of full spoilers for future games, check our daily NYT Connections sports hints and answers hub.
- NFL Teams Whose Nicknames Start with B: BEARS, BILLS, BRONCOS, BUCCANEERS
- NHL Teams Whose Nicknames Start with B: BLACKHAWKS, BLUE JACKETS, BLUES, BRUINS
- Associated with Cincinnati: BEARCATS, BENGALS, BIG RED MACHINE, BURROW
- Words in the Names of Bundesliga Clubs: BAYER, BAYERN, BERLIN, BORUSSIA
All 16 Sports Connections Words for July 27, 2026 (#672)
The 16 words in today's grid were: BEARS, BILLS, BRONCOS, BUCCANEERS, BLACKHAWKS, BLUE JACKETS, BLUES, BRUINS, BEARCATS, BENGALS, BIG RED MACHINE, BURROW, BAYER, BAYERN, BERLIN and BORUSSIA. In Sports Connections, you sort these 16 terms into four groups of four. Today's puzzle posed a heavy letter-"B" challenge across gridiron football, pro hockey, Ohio sports lore, and German soccer.
NFL Teams Whose Nicknames Start with B: BEARS, BILLS, BRONCOS, BUCCANEERS
These four franchises play in the National Football League and feature team nicknames that begin with the letter "B."
BEARS (Meaning)
The Chicago Bears are a charter NFL franchise founded in 1920, competing in the NFC North division.
BILLS (Meaning)
The Buffalo Bills are an NFL franchise based in Highmark Stadium, competing in the AFC East division.
BRONCOS (Meaning)
The Denver Broncos are a three-time Super Bowl-winning NFL franchise competing in the AFC West division.
BUCCANEERS (Meaning)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a two-time Super Bowl-winning NFL franchise competing in the NFC South division.
NHL Teams Whose Nicknames Start with B: BLACKHAWKS, BLUE JACKETS, BLUES, BRUINS
These four franchises compete in the National Hockey League and feature team nicknames starting with the letter "B."
BLACKHAWKS (Meaning)
The Chicago Blackhawks are an Original Six NHL franchise based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division.
BLUE JACKETS (Meaning)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are an NHL expansion franchise established in 2000, competing in the Metropolitan Division.
BLUES (Meaning)
The St. Louis Blues are an NHL team named after the famous W.C. Handy song, competing in the Central Division.
BRUINS (Meaning)
The Boston Bruins are the oldest American franchise in the NHL, playing as an Original Six team in the Atlantic Division.
Associated with Cincinnati: BEARCATS, BENGALS, BIG RED MACHINE, BURROW
These four sports references are deeply connected to the athletic identity, franchises, and history of Cincinnati, Ohio.
BEARCATS (Meaning)
Bearcats refers to the Cincinnati Bearcats, the collegiate athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati in NCAA Big 12 competition.
BENGALS (Meaning)
Bengals refers to the Cincinnati Bengals, the city's NFL franchise established by Paul Brown in 1967.
BIG RED MACHINE (Meaning)
Big Red Machine was the legendary nickname given to the dominant Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball team of the 1970s.
BURROW (Meaning)
Joe Burrow is the star franchise quarterback who led the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl LVI after being selected first overall in 2020.
Words in the Names of Bundesliga Clubs: BAYER, BAYERN, BERLIN, BORUSSIA
These four German terms or geographical references form key components in the official club names of major German Bundesliga football teams.
BAYER (Meaning)
Bayer is the pharmaceutical company that founded and names Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the German football club based in Leverkusen.
BAYERN (Meaning)
Bayern is the German word for Bavaria, appearing in the name of Germany's most decorated football club, FC Bayern München.
BERLIN (Meaning)
Berlin represents the capital city found in the names of Bundesliga clubs like Union Berlin and Hertha BSC (Berlin).
BORUSSIA (Meaning)
Borussia is the Latin term for Prussia, famously used in the names of top German clubs Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Why These Words Tripped Players Up
Puzzle #672 was an all-letter "B" brainteaser designed to cause maximum overlap. BEARS, BENGALS, BILLS, BRONCOS, and BUCCANEERS are all NFL nicknames, requiring you to pull BENGALS out into the Cincinnati-themed group along with star quarterback Joe BURROW. Similarly, BLACKHAWKS, BEARS, and BEARCATS share animal motifs, making it crucial to classify them strictly by league and geographic identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 16 words in Sports Connections #672 for July 27, 2026?
The 16 words are BEARS, BILLS, BRONCOS, BUCCANEERS, BLACKHAWKS, BLUE JACKETS, BLUES, BRUINS, BEARCATS, BENGALS, BIG RED MACHINE, BURROW, BAYER, BAYERN, BERLIN and BORUSSIA.
Which NFL team nicknames start with the letter B?
The Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all have nicknames starting with "B."
Which NHL team nicknames start with the letter B?
The Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and Boston Bruins all have nicknames starting with "B."
How do BEARCATS, BENGALS, BIG RED MACHINE and BURROW relate to Cincinnati?
They represent the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, the Cincinnati Bengals NFL team, the 1970s Cincinnati Reds baseball nickname (Big Red Machine), and Bengals QB Joe Burrow.
Which Bundesliga football club names feature BAYER, BAYERN, BERLIN and BORUSSIA?
Bayer Leverkusen, FC Bayern Munich, Union Berlin, and Borussia Dortmund / Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the context and sports breakdown for all 16 terms in the July 27, 2026 (#672) Sports Connections grid. Bookmark our site and check back daily for detailed solution guides, trivia context, and strategic hints!
