153. Against the Odds (with Phil Chow)

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Hello hello! I'm awake, though barely, after watching the incredible Mariners-Tigers 15-inning masterpiece last night. My heart still breaking for the Phillies also, but - somehow - my Cubs are still in it, and it all comes down to one game at "Wrigley North" tonight. How can you not be romantic about baseball?

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1. Puzzle #152 answer: PUNT

Correct entries: 55

Shortest explanation: Each of the four 9-letter football-themed words contains within it, from left to right, the letters of a 6-letter word, a synonym of which ends each contorted clue. Once these letters are removed from each entry, a 3-letter word remains. Find a clue elsewhere that starts with that same word. Those entries' initial letters spell, in standard grid order, PUNT, the answer to the meta.

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2. Here for puzzle #153 is the first-ever POAK collaboration, this one between myself and Phil Chow, whose great creations can be seen here (he also got an Orca nod last year for one of his clues! I broke that news to him also, haha). We planned this meta about a year ago or so, and the creation you see is the end result!

Fair warning: This one clocks in at a Level 5, the highest anything-goes level. It is completely fair, though, but you might have to persevere on it. I'll be adding a bunch of nudges along the way on the Crosshare app, and I've even given you a free nudge to start! Shout-out to Kay and Lydia for test-solving.

Good luck, and may all your solves be beautiful!

Mikey G

The answer to the meta is a 6-letter word.