PRO FOOTBALL : Milburn Steals Show in Bronco Victory : AFC: Rookie scores touchdown and sets up another as Denver beats Jets, 26-20.

Give John Elway another weapon and he’ll toy with you. Give Elway the ball on turnovers and he’ll hurt you.

The Denver Broncos gave Elway a weapon by drafting Glyn Milburn on the second round in April. And the New York Jets provided three turnovers Sunday leading to nine points in the Broncos’ 26-20 victory.

In his NFL debut, Milburn had a 15-yard run during Denver’s first touchdown drive; a 50-yard gain on a third-and-19 play; a 25-yard touchdown pass play reception: and a 36-yard punt return.

“He’s a great weapon and he had a great day,” Elway said of Milburn. “We knew that he was that type of explosive guy. Just get the ball to him and he’s liable to go all the way every time.”

Elway, surrounded by eight new starters, didn’t miss a beat. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 269 yards in running the Broncos’ new short-passing attack favored by new Coach Wade Phillips.

The Jets were unable to capitalize on the emotion generated by the pregame and halftime appearances of Dennis Byrd. Their former teammate, who broke his neck against Kansas City last November, walked onto the field waving his arms to exhort the fans into louder cheers. He conducted the coin toss, which New York won.

Veteran Boomer Esiason, in his Jets’ debut, completed 29 of 40 passes for 371 yards.