Well, today's Mini Crossword sure had a different twist! You have to try and figure out what the letters stand for in all the Across clues, and then fill in the word that the letter in parentheses stands for. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Winter Olympics start today, and today's Connections: Sports Edition focuses on the big event.

The answers to today's Connections, game #970, are… YELLOW: CULTURAL SYMBOLS OF THE U.S. AMERICAN FLAG, APPLE PIE, BALD EAGLE, BASEBALL