It was enlightening to see runners young and old making a difference — or keeping their teams in games.

From veterans Frank Gore, Jonathan Stewart and especially LeSean McCoy, to kids such as rookie sensation Ezekiel Elliott, Spencer Ware, Matt Jones and Jay Ajayi, it was impressive, win or lose.

McCoy and Gore have all-star credentials and are showing they remain dangerous and dependable. McCoy ran 19 times for 140 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Bills, who want to pound opponents on the ground, thumped the 49ers 45-16 with their best rushing performance in 24 years. Gore, at 33, became the first Colt in 3 1/2 years to rush for more than 100 yards, getting 106 in a 26-23 loss at Houston.

Ware, Jones and Ajayi weren’t big factors last year. Ware had 72 carries for Kansas City, though he scored six times; Jones rushed 144 times for 490 yards as a backup to Alfred Morris in Washington. Ajayi barely saw the field in Miami with 49 carries.

On Sunday, they were prime-timers as Ware went for 131 yards and a touchdown on 34 runs, Jones had 135 on 16 and scored once, while Ajayi had a breakout game in a stunning upset of Pittsburgh with 204 yards on 25 carries and two scores — including a clinching 62-yard scamper.