Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

49ers' blockbuster trade for Christian McCaffrey increases Super Bowl odds

Per OddsChecker, the move quickly lifted San Francisco's title odds to the most popular bet in football.

Gold rush: Christian McCaffrey traded to 49ers

Christian McCaffrey is heading back to the Bay Area.

Watch: Cardinals defense comes up huge with back-to-back pick-sixes in wild sequence

The Cardinals defense made Andy Dalton look foolish as his nightmarish prime-time resume continues with pick-sixes on back-to-back possessions.

Watch: Saints WR Rashid Shaheed scores TD on 53-yard bomb

Quarterback Andy Dalton placed the ball perfectly, and the undrafted rookie out of Weber State made magic happen for the second week in a row.

Bailey Zappe already in Patriots Hall of Fame

Thanks to his record-setting stretch, the Patriots' Hall of Fame made sure Zappe's contributions won't soon be forgotten.

Stunning stat reveals how little support LeBron James has had from Anthony Davis

While much of the Lakers' 2021-22 struggles were blamed on guard Russell Westbrook, it's Davis who is more responsible for the mostly lackluster results for the organization since his arrival outside of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 campaign.

LSU presents challenge to No. 7 Ole Miss's goal of winning SEC Championship 

The Rebels (7-0, 3-0 in SEC) are the last remaining undefeated team in the SEC West, so they have as good a shot as they've had in years to get over the hump.

Everything must go: Could Saints be sellers at the deadline?

The Saints are fast-approaching the end times as far as this current roster construction is concerned.

Zion Williamson's return went better than anyone could have hoped

Williamson imposed his will in the Pelicans' 130-108 beatdown of the Brooklyn Nets, using his massive frame to bully his way into the paint.

Taysom time? Why more Taysom Hill could help Saints get over the hump

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen declined to name a starting quarterback ahead of Thursday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals with both Jameis Winston (back, ankle) and Andy Dalton (back) missing time at practice this week.

Saints to be without top cornerback Marshon Lattimore as Cardinals welcome back DeAndre Hopkins

 There were no alarms or surprises on Wednesday's injury report ahead of the Saints-Cardinals "Thursday Night Football" game to kick off Week 7.

Marcus Mariota: 'It's on me' to get Kyle Pitts involved

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than the Atlanta Falcons' 3-3 start is how much of a non-factor tight end Kyle Pitts has been. Mariota knows he needs to get the valuable weapon involved.

Inability to win close games sinking Raiders

What are the odds of a team's first four losses in a season being by one score? Asking for the Las Vegas Raiders.

How 2022 Tennessee stacks up to 2019 LSU national champs

No. 3 Tennessee is in the middle of a magical run. As the team basks in the glow of its victory over  Alabama, a SEC Network commentator sees parallels between the Volunteers and perhaps the best college offense of all time, LSU in 2019.

Incoming Tennessee QB recruit shows why Vols may not be one-year wonder

Riding high off their thrilling win over Alabama, Vols fans may want to smoke ‘em if they got any of ‘em left after incoming freshman QB Nico Iamaleava’s great performance this past weekend.

Black Friday NFL game coming to Prime Video in 2023

The NFL is looking to take over the entire Thanksgiving weekend.

Two offseason trades with the Saints have Eagles' future looking bright

The deals between the teams have paid dividends for the Eagles on the field this season and also have them set up for a strong offseason.

'TNF' offers another yawner with dreadful Saints-Cardinals Week 7 matchup

Both teams enter Week 7 at 2-4, though thanks to a remarkably weak NFC in the early going, each is just a game out of first place.

AP preseason No. 1 North Carolina may have already clinched NCAA Tournament bid

The Heels return a core that led them to a 29-10 record and an appearance in the national title game in coach Hubert Davis’s first year.

Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett not ready for prime time

After another dreadful performance, Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett appears more and more likely to be packing his bags.

Despite matchup, 'Thursday Night Football' still recorded 10.5M viewers for Commanders-Bears 

As much ridicule as "Thursday Night Football" has received the past two weeks, they're proving that any publicity is good publicity.

Unranked LSU surprising favorites against No. 7 Ole Miss

The sportsbooks must know something the rest of us don't. LSU (5-2, 3-1 in SEC) hosts No. 7 Ole Miss (7-0, 3-0) this Saturday. Despite being unranked, LSU is the current favorite by 1.5 points, per Caesars Sportsbook.

Oct. 21 'Thursday Night Football' to feature new Taylor Swift album teaser

Fans know all too well not to expect a quality product when 'Thursday Night Football' kicks off each week. Luckily for the NFL, they'll have Taylor Swift to take the spotlight away from what hasn't been very compelling football the past two weeks.

Ravens making a habit of ugly fourth-quarter meltdowns

Per NFL Savant, the Ravens have been outscored in the fourth quarter 64-22 through the first six games, worst in the NFL.