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NYT Strands #914 for September 3, 2026, uses the theme “Hike!”, pointing players toward American football terminology.
Today’s spangram is FOOTBALL, which connects all eight theme words hidden across the puzzle.
The theme words are DOWN, KICK, PASS, PLAY, RUSH, STADIUM, TACKLE and UPRIGHT.
Another NYT Strands puzzle is here for Thursday, September 3, 2026. Today’s game, Strands #914, asks players to find words connected to football.
If you are having trouble finding the hidden words, the hints below can help you work through the puzzle before checking the complete answers.
The official theme for September 3 is “Hike!”
Today’s clue points to American football rather than an outdoor activity. In football, the quarterback calls for the ball to be snapped at the start of a play.
The theme becomes easier to understand once you spot words such as DOWN, KICK, PASS, PLAY and RUSH. STADIUM, TACKLE and UPRIGHT also connect to football.
NYT Strands is a daily word-search puzzle built around a specific theme. Players need to find the themed words hidden throughout the letter grid.
Words can move horizontally, vertically or diagonally. They can also change direction as they move through the grid.
The spangram is a special word or phrase that captures the puzzle’s main idea. It stretches from one side of the board to the opposite side.
Players can also find unrelated words in the grid. Finding three such words earns a hint that reveals letters from one of the puzzle’s theme answers.
Today’s main theme hint is:
“Hike!”
A more direct clue is:
Think of a sport where a hike starts the action.
Look for words linked to football plays, positions, the field and equipment.
The answers include several familiar football terms. Some may be harder to spot since they are also commonly used outside sports.
If you need another nudge, the first two letters of each answer can help you narrow down the possibilities.
The eight theme words begin with:
DO
KI
PA
PL
RU
ST
TA
UP
The spangram begins with:
FO
These starting letters offer a way to keep solving without immediately revealing every answer
Still looking for the longest answer?
Today’s spangram is the name of the sport at the heart of the puzzle.
It has eight letters and starts with the letter F.
The September 3, 2026 spangram is:
FOOTBALL
The spangram reveals the main connection between all the hidden theme words.
NYT Strands Answers for September 3, 2026
The complete answer list for today’s puzzle includes:
DOWN
KICK
PASS
PLAY
RUSH
STADIUM
TACKLE
UPRIGHT
FOOTBALL - Spangram
The eight theme words all connect to football.
DOWN refers to one of the four attempts an offense has to move the ball forward. KICK is another common action used during a football game.
PASS refers to throwing the ball to another player. PLAY describes an individual action or planned sequence during a game.
RUSH can refer to running with the ball or putting pressure on the quarterback. STADIUM is the venue where football games are played.
TACKLE describes a defensive move used to stop a player carrying the ball. UPRIGHT refers to the vertical posts that form part of a football goalpost.
The spangram, FOOTBALL, connects all eight answers and points directly to today’s theme.
Today’s puzzle can be tricky if you take the word “Hike!” literally. The clue is pointing toward football rather than hiking.
Several answers are common everyday words, which can make them difficult to identify as part of the theme.
DOWN, KICK, PASS, PLAY and RUSH all have meanings outside football. That gives players several possible directions when searching the grid.
UPRIGHT can also be easy to overlook. In today’s puzzle, it refers specifically to part of a football goalpost.
Finding the spangram, FOOTBALL, can make the remaining answers easier to recognize.
NYT Strands gives players a new theme and a fresh letter grid every day. The spangram often provides the clearest clue to the connection between the hidden answers.
For players stuck on Strands #914, the eight theme words are DOWN, KICK, PASS, PLAY, RUSH, STADIUM, TACKLE and UPRIGHT. FOOTBALL is the spangram for September 3, 2026.
Also Read: Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers for August 30, 2026
