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

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.

Does Tom Brady have one more run in him?

Brady's team is an uninspiring 3-3, his numbers are down and he's had multiple sideline outbursts through six weeks. Can he right the ship or is this the beginning of the end for the legend?

Low Tide: Is it time to put a fork in Alabama?

The Crimson Tide have overcome regular season slip-ups several times in the last decade, but will they be able to do so again in 2022?

Philadelphia sports teams on a roll after epic weekend

Philadelphia is feeling the love after one of the best sports weekends in the city in years.

Blame directed at Kyler Murray, Kliff Kingsbury after Cardinals latest loss

Add the Cardinals to the list of dysfunctional NFL offenses. 

Heat is on Saints HC Dennis Allen after 2-4 start

Allen's second stint as an NFL head coach is starting to feel a lot like his first.

Saquon Barkley is good for Giants, but bad for fantasy football players

 Saquon Barkley made a play that won Sunday's game for the Giants and may have lost it for people rostering him in fantasy football. With less than two minutes, Barkley took a handoff and had a clear path to the endzone.

Marcus Mariota off to incredible start versus 49ers

If fans were waiting for the Chiefs-Bills game to see some perfect QB play, they'll be surprised to know there's a performance in the 1:00 p.m. window will be tough for either Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen to beat.

What's going on in Green Bay with the Packers offense?

The Green Bay Packers are having a rough go of things against the New York Jets. It's left fans and pundits to question what is going on in Green Bay as the Packers' offense struggles.

Watch: Saints wide receiver scores a day after being called up from practice squad

The New Orleans Saints need production from unlikely sources if they're going to keep up with the Cincinnati Bengals. And they got an early boost from wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.

Watch: Utah scores late TD, completes two-point play for 43-42 win

"Pac-12 After Dark" is a real thing, and fans were given a taste of it Saturday night when No. 20 Utah took down No. 7 USC.