The New York Times Crossword · 4-Down · 7 letters
Interception returned for a touchdown The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed October 6, 2026
Answer · 7 letters
PICK SIX
In the grid: PICKSIX · no spaces
PICKSIX is the seven-letter answer to the October 6 NYT 4-Down. 'Pick' is football shorthand for an interception, and a touchdown is worth six points. In this grid the term also splits as PICK, an action, plus SIX, a figure; that is why 67- and 68-Across reveal ACTION FIGURE as a second reading of the entry.
Different crossing letters? Check another fit →Why the return matters
An interception by itself is a pick, but the clue adds a scoring return. If the defender carries the intercepted pass into the end zone, the team gets a touchdown worth six points. The NFL uses 'pick-six' for that full sequence; write it as one seven-letter grid entry, without the hyphen.
Read the answer again through the revealer
The puzzle's 67- and 68-Across answer is ACTION FIGURE. Divide PICK SIX after the fourth letter: PICK is an action, while SIX is a numerical figure. This second reading explains why the football term belongs in the theme and gives a useful crossing check if the final three squares are uncertain.
References behind this explanation
- October 6 NYT 4-Down and ACTION FIGURE revealer
- Independent October 6 numbered clue listing
- NFL example of an interception returned for a pick-six
- 2026 NFL rulebook: scoring
These references support the meaning or background; they are not publisher endorsements.
Where this clue appeared
4-Down in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for October 6, 2026.
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