It might be time to fill out your Anthony Weaver apology form — Miami’s defense has quietly undergone a stunning midseason transformation by nearly any measure

Turns out Anthony Weaver did not, in fact, forget how to coach.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Few units in the NFL were more maligned than the Miami Dolphins‘ defense throughout the first month of games. Miami struggled to find much in the way of consistency through the first five weeks of the year, thanks in part to a lot of youth in the trenches and a lot of new players working together on the back end. As a result, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver drew plenty of ire — his unit was supposed to be taking advantage of continuity within Miami’s defensive scheme for the first time in several seasons.

But that’s the funny thing about the NFL. We so often forget the communication aspect of the game. And the human element of the players. Weaver’s defense, littered with new pieces on the back end and youngsters in the front, has gotten more time on task together. And the splits between the first five weeks of the 2025 season and the last five weeks of the 2025 season tell quite the story.

There may be some apologies due for Anthony Weaver at this rate.

The Dolphins’ defensive splits through the first and second half of 2025’s first 10 weeks paint a promising picture

Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Take your pick of any measure of defensive football. Any one! Go ahead. Points? In Weeks 1-5, Miami was allowing 29 points per game. Over the last five weeks, it’s nearly a full touchdown less (22.2 points per game to be exact). It’d be even better if not for a Week 7 pick-six by Tua Tagovailoa and several other short fields the defense had to defend against Cleveland and Baltimore, too.

Yards per play? Miami is averaging a full yard less per play over the last five weeks than they did in the first five weeks of the season. (6.4 yards per play allowed in Weeks 1-5 versus 5.4 in Weeks 6-10). That’s an improvement of 15 spots in the NFL rankings, from 31st to 16th. The Dolphins are averaging 69 less rushing yards per game allowed. Their net yards per attempt conceded on pass attempts is more than a full yard lower (7.8, T-30th in Weeks 1-5 versus 6.7, T-15th in Weeks 6-10). Miami was conceding 50% of third-down attempts in the first month of the season. That number has been cut to 33.8% in the last five weeks (12th best mark in the NFL).

Perhaps raw numbers aren’t your thing. Perhaps you’re more partial to efficiency metrics. Walk with me.

The Dolphins allowed 3.07 points per possession defensively through the first five weeks of the season. That number is down to 1.93 points per possession in the last five weeks, an improvement that has Miami ranked 12th best in the NFL since Week 6. The number of possessions ending in punts has doubled from 20% to 40.7%. That latter mark for Weeks 6-10? It ranks 7th in the NFL. The unit’s three & out rate (three plays and punt) defensively has also doubled from 17.8% to 35.2%.

2025 Miami Dolphins’ Defensive Splits
(Weeks 1-5 versus Weeks 6-10)

  • Points per game: 29.0 versus 22.2
  • Yards per game: 386.6 versus 307.2
  • Yards per play: 6.4 versus 5.4
  • Third down conversion rate: 50% versus 33.8%
  • Defensive EPA/game ranking: 30th versus 12th

Their blitz rate is down six percent while their pressure rate is, simultaneously, up. Their sack rate is up, albeit still not ranking where you’d ideally like to see it among the league’s best. Don’t mistake this as a suggestion that Miami is always playing great defense. But man, the shift in the last month is stunning nonetheless.

Perhaps the most glaring shift is in Expected Points Added per game, where Miami went from ranked 30th in the NFL in Weeks 1-5 to ranked 13th in Weeks 6-10 with the same personnel. They’ve gone from dead last in the league in defensive EPA/game against the run to No. 2 in the NFL over the last five weeks. And, reminder, they’ve played the Ravens, the Bills, and the Falcons in the last three games. The Falcons and Bills rank in the top-12 in the NFL in rushing EPA per game.

This has all been accomplished with no notable additions through free agency or trades. There have been no major October additions to change the landscape of the depth chart. As a matter of fact, Miami traded away one of their best defenders, Jaelan Phillips, ahead of the trade deadline. So what has changed? Time. Time on task is a real thing. The starting secondary is comprised of a veteran acquired via trade in July, a Day 3 rookie, and pair of veteran corners signed in August. The next most intriguing player, JuJu Brents, was an August waiver claim. This unit has got the reps together now.

Let it be a reminder of why Anthony Weaver is so well respected as a coach. He was getting head coaching interviews last offseason, only to watch his unit get gutted via personnel. As it turns out, he didn’t forget how to coach. He just had to get these guys to learn how to play together. And it’s coming into focus, now.

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