Anthony Weaver didn’t just coach a great game on Sunday - he made a statement. The Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator, who interviewed twice for the New Orleans Saints head coaching job last offseason, watched his unit dominate the very team that passed him over in favor of Kellen Moore. And while the Dolphins are heating up down the stretch, the Saints are unraveling.
Let’s rewind for a second. Back in January, Weaver was firmly in the mix for the Saints’ top job.
He was one of a select few to earn a second interview, and by all accounts, he impressed. But in the end, New Orleans opted to go with Moore - the offensive mind with a Super Bowl ring and a vision for revitalizing the Saints’ attack.
The choice was clear: go offense over defense, innovation over familiarity.
Fast forward to Week 13, and the results are hard to ignore.
The Saints are 2-10. They're out of the playoff picture before December really gets going.
And Moore’s offense? It’s struggling in ways that go beyond just growing pains.
On Sunday, the Saints managed just 60 total yards in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings - and that number includes 69 yards lost to sacks. Yes, you read that right.
They actually lost more yards to sacks than they gained on offense. That’s how you end up with a net total that’s somehow worse than the 63 yards they mustered in the first half against Weaver’s Dolphins - which, by the way, was their lowest first-half output in half a century.
Weaver’s defense has been on a tear lately, and Sunday’s performance was just the latest example. Miami has now won four of its last five games, and the defense has been a major reason why.
They’re not just playing well - they’re suffocating opposing offenses. They’re forcing mistakes, dominating the line of scrimmage, and making life miserable for quarterbacks.
This is a group that’s quickly becoming one of the league’s toughest scoring defenses.
Weaver, a former Ravens assistant under John Harbaugh and a respected voice in NFL defensive circles, has clearly earned the trust of his players. Safety Jevon Holland and other veterans have spoken highly of his leadership and game-planning.
And it’s not hard to see why. His unit plays fast, physical, and with a clear identity - something the Saints offense is sorely lacking right now.
Which brings us back to Moore. It’s fair to say the honeymoon phase is over.
The Saints’ offense ranks dead last in red zone efficiency and has been brutal in short-yardage situations. There’s no rhythm, no consistency, and no clear sign of progress.
And while Moore may still be under contract for another year, the question now becomes: has he shown enough to earn a second season on merit?
On Sunday, the contrast couldn’t have been more stark. One coach had his unit flying around, creating havoc, and playing with purpose. The other was left searching for answers as his offense sputtered once again.
The Saints made their choice back in January. On Sunday, Anthony Weaver gave them a reminder of what they passed up.