In a battle of AFC East rivals, the New York Jets held off the Miami Dolphins with a final score of 27-16, kicking off the 2036 season with a strong showing. The stakes were high as both teams aimed to establish dominance in the division, but it was the Jets who came away with the victory at home. Jets quarterback Shonn Elam was instrumental in the win, throwing for 301 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his ability to connect with receivers downfield. Kenyon Sadiq was his top target, racking up 127 receiving yards and making critical catches that kept the Jets' offense moving. Meanwhile, Dominique Clark led the Dolphins' ground game with 64 rushing yards, but Miami struggled to find the end zone consistently. Defensively, the Jets made their mark with Marco Esquivel leading the charge with four total tackles, while Manny O'Neal added a sack to disrupt Miami's offensive rhythm. The game's turning point came in the second quarter when Elam threw his third touchdown, stretching the lead to two scores, which proved to be insurmountable for the Dolphins as they attempted to rally in the second half. Despite DeAndre Westerman's impressive two interceptions for Miami, it wasn't enough to shift the momentum back in their favor.