| 100% | TACKLED | 7 | Took a football player down, or took on a problem |
| 45% | ZERO | 4 | Narrow a list down or fix on a target (with "in on") |
| 45% | RETACKLED | 9 | Took on again, as a problem |
| 45% | TACKLE | 6 | Take on, as a tough problem |
| 45% | STEELER | 7 | Player on a Pittsburgh football team |
| 44% | BAT | 3 | Item a baseball player takes into the on-deck circle |
| 44% | TACKLE | 6 | Bring down on a football field |
| 44% | TACKLE | 6 | Bring down, on a football field |
| 44% | TACKLES | 7 | Brings down, on a football field |
| 43% | PARENTING | 9 | Taking on the role of a mother or father |
| 43% | RIDDEN | 6 | Taken a bus or traveled on a horse, for example |
| 43% | EAGLE | 5 | Philadelphia football player or a bird of prey |
| 43% | BACKFOUR | 8 | Group of defensive players on a football pitch |
| 43% | LINEMEN | 7 | Typically the biggest players on a football team |
| 42% | DEMOTE | 6 | Take down a peg or two |
| 42% | GLISSANDO | 9 | Quick uninterrupted passage up or down the scale on a piano or harp |
| 42% | RISK | 4 | Lay on the line, or take a chance on |
| 42% | KNEE | 4 | Place for padding on a football player's leg |
| 42% | WINGER | 6 | Attacking player on the edge of a football pitch |
| 42% | FIDDLER | 7 | Type of crab or violin player on a roof |
| 41% | CRUISE | 6 | Voyage on a ship or boat taken as a vacation |
| 41% | NAP | 3 | You might take one on a sofa or in a hammock |
| 41% | ROSEPETAL | 9 | One of what is sprinkled down aisle or on a bed |
| 40% | GIVEITATRY | 10 | "Go on, take a taste!" ... or an apt title for this puzzle? |
| 40% | ARROWKEY | 8 | It's pressed to go left, right, up or down on a computer |
| 39% | YOYO | 4 | Move up and down, like body weight or a toy on a string: Hyph. |
| 39% | BLOG | 4 | "Sally's Take on the USA Today Crossword" or "Diary of a Crossword Fiend" |
| 38% | RUDY | 4 | 1993 film based on a true story starring Sean Astin as football player Daniel Ruettiger |
| 38% | INVINCIBLE | 10 | 2006 film based on a true story starring Mark Wahlberg as football player Vince Papale |
| 38% | ACTED | 5 | Took on a role |