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

Three reasons Michigan can beat Alabama in the CFP semifinals

Here are three reasons why the Wolverines will win against Alabama on New Year's Day.

Three reasons Alabama can beat Michigan in the CFP semifinals

Here are three reasons why the Tide will emerge victorious on New Year's Day despite not being the betting favorite.

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe takes shot at former offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had his share of detractors before he led the Tide to an SEC title and berth in the College Football Playoff. But among his critics, few probably expected his former offensive coordinator to be one of them.

10 NFL prospects to watch in non-CFP games

It can be difficult to know who's playing during college football's bowl season because of the devaluation of non-College Football Playoff bowls, the transfer portal and players declaring for the NFL Draft. There is a decent number of players participating this season.

'TNF' preview: Browns seek to clinch rare postseason berth against Jets

The Browns are a 7.5-point favorite on Thursday night against the Jets as they look to become the third AFC team to clinch a playoff spot.

Potential landing spots for Russell Wilson in 2024

Russell Wilson's rocky tenure with the Broncos may have reached its end. If that proves to be the case, here are five landing spots that make sense for the embattled quarterback.

Week 17 NFC South predictions: Do the Buccaneers clinch the division?

Entering Week 17, the Falcons' and Saints' hopes of reaching the playoffs are on life support while the Buccaneers have their eye on clinching their third division title in a row.

Lamar Jackson's 'MNF' performance makes plenty of NFL teams look bad

 Lamar Jackson showed why he's one of the most exciting players in football on Monday night in Baltimore's decisive 33-19 win over San Francisco.  That's pretty amazing for a quarterback no one wanted to sign in free agency.

'MNF' takeaways: Ravens are AFC's best, Brock Purdy's MVP bid comes to an end

The biggest regular-season game of the year turned into a massive statement by the Baltimore Ravens.

Watch: 49ers QB Brock Purdy’s second interception leads to Ravens touchdown

 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s second interception against the Ravens led to Baltimore taking a 10-5 lead on “Monday Night Football.”

Watch: Giants potential tying TD drive stopped with end-zone INT as time expires

The Eagles escaped Week 16 with a 33-25 win over the lowly Giants, doing little to quell concerns about Philadelphia when the postseason arrives.

Watch: Jalen Hurts' pick-six pulls the Giants within one score

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a costly pick-six during the third quarter of Philadelphia's Christmas Day game against the Giants that pulled New York within two, 20-18.

Giants QB Tommy DeVito benched at halftime for Tyrod Taylor

The Tommy DeVito craze in New York ended on Monday. Giants head coach Brian Daboll benched the undrafted quarterback at halftime of the team's Christmas Day game at Philadelphia.

The third quarter turns into a disaster for the Broncos

The Broncos had a nightmarish third quarter against the Patriots on Sunday night that might have sunk the team's playoff chances.

Watch: Ezekiel Elliott hurdles defender on way to go-ahead touchdown

Running back Ezekiel Elliott finally got the Patriots into the end zone. 

NFL Week 16 winners: Lions are division champs, Dolphins earn statement win

Who had a merry Christmas Eve? Winners and losers for Week 16 of the NFL season.

Why the Panthers should feel good despite their Week 16 loss to the Packers

Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young had something resembling a breakout performance in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Watch: Baker Mayfield finds Mike Evans with an excellent throw to extend Bucs lead

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and QB Baker Mayfield are very quietly beginning to look like a potentially dangerous postseason foe.

Dodgers make another splash by landing Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The Los Angeles Dodgers are determined to win the offseason. Whether they win the 2024 season on the diamond still remains to be seen.

Florida State renews push to leave ACC after CFP snub

With the CFP expanding to 12 teams next year, it might make more sense for Florida State to stay where it is instead of making a reactionary decision.

Report: Lions OC has absurd price tag for head-coaching job

Johnson asking for as much as Super Bowl-winning coaches is absurd, but as desperate as some teams are, he only needs one to buck conventional wisdom and give a landmark contract to an unproven head coach.

D.J. Lagway commit salvages otherwise horrendous signing day for Florida

In its third offseason with head coach Billy Napier, the Gators needed Lagway to sign after they were hit with a pair of flips earlier in the day.

Week 16 NFC South predictions: Saints take over first place

The Buccaneers and Saints attempt to get back above .500, the Falcons aim to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, and the Panthers try for a second consecutive win. 

Winners and losers from college football's early signing day

Ohio State HC Ryan Day was finally able to breathe for seemingly the first time in weeks. Winners and losers from college's early signing day.

'TNF' preview: Playoff stakes at play in Saints-Rams game

The winner of Thursday night's New Orleans Saints-Los Angeles Rams gains the inside track to a playoff spot.