So I've started messing around with the Connections game after I finish the NYT crossword every day.
I can not figure out how Connections determines the difficulty. Inevitably on days I find it easy/straightforward it goes "oh this was a hard one". And on days that I can't figure it out it's all "this was an easier puzzle".
Once in a while I could chalk up to luck, but this has become consistent. I find it really odd.