| 100% | AFC | 3 | Houston is in it, but Dallas isn't, briefly |
| 54% | NBA | 3 | Dallas and Houston are in it, in brief |
| 50% | ALSORANS | 8 | They were in it but didn't win it |
| 50% | NBA | 3 | Houston and Dallas are in it: Abbr. |
| 45% | LOWERFORTYEIGHT | 15 | Alabama is in it, but Alaska is not |
| 45% | ENG | 3 | This puzzle is in it, briefly |
| 44% | SNL | 3 | Kate McKinnon is in its ensemble, briefly |
| 44% | ITAL | 4 | Movie titles might be in it, briefly |
| 44% | NATO | 4 | The U.K. is in it, but Ire. is not |
| 43% | NFC | 3 | Dallas is in it, for short |
| 42% | SNIGLET | 7 | Term for a word that isn't in the dictionary but should be |
| 42% | OPEC | 4 | Its HQ are in Austria, which isn't a member |
| 41% | FASTLANE | 8 | Life in it is exciting but risky |
| 41% | SNIGLET | 7 | Term for a word that isn't in the dictionary, but maybe should be |
| 41% | SMOG | 4 | It may be thick in Houston |
| 39% | SMOG | 4 | It may be thick in L.A. or Houston |
| 39% | IWANTMORE | 9 | “This is nice, but it isn’t enough” |
| 38% | EROS | 4 | What most think the famous Piccadilly Circus statue is in London (it isn't) |
| 38% | PAINE | 5 | Patriot who said "Government even in its best state is but a necessary evil" |
| 37% | WEA | 3 | "Isn't it rich, Are ___ pair" ("Send in the Clowns" lyrics): 2 wds. |
| 37% | ALSORAN | 7 | One who's in it but doesn't win it |
| 37% | THEONETOTHEWESTOFHERE | 21 | "You caught me!," says the thief, who then admits: "The diamond isn't here in my room, but it's hidden in ___" |
| 37% | BANGAGONG | 9 | T. Rex hit that was titled “Get It On” in the U.K. |
| 36% | TECH | 4 | It's the "T" in STEM, briefly |
| 36% | APAIR | 5 | "Isn't it rich? / Are we ___?" (opening lyrics of "Send in the Clowns") (2 wds.) |
| 36% | NOISE | 5 | It could be white or background, but in any case librarians frown on it |
| 36% | VIE | 3 | Be in it to win it |
| 36% | PEORIA | 6 | "But will it play in ___?" |
| 36% | AMAJ | 4 | Taylor Swift's "Call It What You Want" is written in this, briefly |
| 36% | OPEC | 4 | Indonesia is in it |