The game was a shootout from start to finish. Marino, already a superstar, threw for 448 yards and six touchdowns. O'Brien, looking to establish himself as a top quarterback, responded with an equally impressive performance, passing for 479 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Wesley Walker was the hero for the Jets, catching three touchdown passes, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime.  

The Jets led 31-21 at halftime, but the Dolphins stormed back to take a 38-31 lead in the third quarter. The Jets tied the game late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from O'Brien to Walker, forcing overtime. In the extra period, O'Brien connected with Walker once again for the winning touchdown, sending the Jets' fans into a frenzy.  

The combined 96 points scored in the game were the third-most in NFL history at the time. The 927 passing yards combined by O'Brien and Marino stood as an NFL record for 25 years.

The Jets-Dolphins game of September 21, 1986, will always be remembered as one of the greatest offensive displays in NFL history.