NYT Midi Crossword Clue · Down · 9-D
Gridiron standout
Tap each tile to reveal the answer
Stuck? Tap one tile at a time for a gentle nudge, or reveal the full answer.
Letters
7
Direction
Down
Clue #
9
Starts with
N
Ends with
R
Vowels
1
About this clue
The clue “Gridiron standout” appeared in the New York Times Midi Crossword on Monday, March 23, 2026, at position 9-D. The answer is a 7-letter word that starts with N and ends with R.
This puzzle was titled “Victory Formation” and constructed by Ian Livengood.
The Midi Crossword sits between the lightning-fast Mini and the full daily, so its cluing tends toward punny misdirection rather than obscure trivia. With just 1 vowel, the answer is consonant-heavy — possibly an abbreviation or proper noun.
How to solve this clue
If you're stuck on this Midi clue, here are angles that often help:
- Crosscheck with the perpendicular entries. Fill the Across entries that cross this one and the letters will usually reveal the answer.
- Watch for the puzzle title. Midi puzzles usually carry a small theme — long Across entries that share a wordplay link.
- Mind the part of speech. Singular clue takes a singular answer; past tense takes -ED or an irregular past form.
- Trust your first instinct. If a clue feels easy in the Midi, it usually is — the puzzle is designed to be solvable in three to five minutes.