Crossword puzzle clue "hint for understanding this puzzle's starred answers"

Hint for understanding this puzzle's starred answers

Postseason gridiron game, and a hint to the puzzle theme found in starred answers

Boundaries, and a hint to the puzzle's starred answers

At one's limit, and a hint to this puzzle's starred answers

Embarking on something exciting, and a hint regarding what this puzzle's starred answers' endings have in common

Attendance check, and a hint to the puzzle theme in the first words of the starred answers

Classic letter puzzle -- or, when parsed differently, a hint to three Down answers in this puzzle

1960s record production formula, or a hint to understanding this puzzle's edges