| 100% | CUBS | 4 | 8-Down also-rans to the 39-Across in 1918 |
| 61% | REDBIRDS | 8 | 2004 8-Down losers to the 39-Across, in headlines |
| 56% | REDS | 4 | They beat the 39-Across in the 1975 8-Down |
| 56% | METS | 4 | They beat the 39-Across in the 1986 8-Down |
| 53% | TEDWILLIAMS | 11 | 39-Across legend who played in the 1946 8-Down |
| 50% | ESTOS | 5 | These, to the characters in 8-Across |
| 49% | STATE | 5 | With 39 Across and 33 Down, what each syllable of the answer to each starred clue is |
| 45% | FRENCHTWIST | 11 | Classic hairstyle ... or a hint to the puns in 17-, 25-, 39- and 51-Across |
| 44% | LIBRA | 5 | Balance in the 39 Across |
| 43% | BESIDES | 7 | Also ... and, in three parts, a hint to the four longest Across answers |
| 42% | UPWARDS | 7 | Going in the opposite direction to down |
| 40% | URL | 3 | It is seen in the clue to 21 Down |
| 40% | SEATTLE | 7 | Washington city that hosted the 39-Across in 1962 |
| 40% | HATH | 4 | 8-Down, in the Bible |
| 40% | ROW | 3 | What to do "gently down the stream," in a song |
| 40% | IWENT | 5 | “As ___ down in the river to pray” (gospel song lyric) |
| 40% | UPS | 3 | Paradoxical answer to appear among the Downs in a crossword |
| 40% | CHIPS | 5 | 8-Down, across the 15-Down |
| 39% | ROW | 3 | How to go "gently down the stream," in a nursery rhyme |
| 39% | CHICAGO | 7 | Illinois city that hosted the 39-Across in 1893 and 1933 |
| 39% | SANANTONIO | 10 | Texas city that hosted the 39-Across in 1968 (2 wds.) |
| 39% | SOON | 4 | Response to the question in 38-Across |
| 39% | DANCINGQUEEN | 12 | 39-Down song with the lyrics "Where they play the right music, getting in the swing / You come to look for a king" |
| 39% | MOVETHECHAINS | 13 | Pick up first downs, in football slang ... with a visual interpretation seen inside the answers to 19-, 24-, and 42-Across |
| 38% | HUGO | 4 | ___ Award, prize given to the best works or achievements in science fiction or fantasy across the world |
| 38% | OVA | 3 | 39 Across, in cells |
| 38% | HAWAII | 6 | Home to Honolulu, where the naval base 11 Across/4 Down is located |
| 38% | ELF | 3 | Christmas figure seen in the answers to 18, 29, 46, and 60 Across |
| 38% | THOMAS | 6 | With 65 Across, the first to see his name ''up in lights'' (1881) |
| 38% | EARTH | 5 | What you might "come down to" after having your head in the clouds |