Rookies off and running

It's been 29 years since the NFL has had a class of rookie running backs this productive this early in the season.

Through two games, the Class of 2008 has a combined 1,197 yards rushing, the most since 1979 (1,306). This year's class also has 257 carries, the most since 1992 (262).

Five running backs were selected in the first round, and each of them is outstanding. But it's Bears second-round pick Matt Forte who is leading the way with 215 yards.

"He's given the Bears what they needed, a reliable yard-churner who can also break the big play," said former Giants running back and current NBC analyst Tiki Barber.

Forte is only 22 years old. But early-20s youth at running back is a common factor this year as the typically pass-happy NFL seems to be returning somewhat to its hard-nosed roots.

The average age of a team's leading rusher is 25.7, more than two years younger than the average age of a team's leading receiver (27.8). The average age of the league's top 10 rushers is 24.9.

Nine receivers 30 and older lead their team's wideouts in catches, including Carolina's 35-year-old Muhsin Muhammad. Only one leading receiver, Philadelphia's 21-year-old DeSean Jackson, is a rookie.

Oakland's Darren McFadden, the fourth overall pick, ran for 168 yards last week as the Raiders topped 300 yards rushing for the first time in more than two decades in a victory over the Chiefs. McFadden, who has 210 yards rushing and a 7.0-yard average, also might be the first of the heralded rookies to miss a game because of an injury. He's battling turf toe in his right foot and might have to sit on Sunday in Buffalo.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, 23-year-old Adrian Peterson, the seventh overall draft pick a year ago, will be the old guy in what is the best matchup between two young leading rushers. Peterson leads the NFL in rushing with 263 yards on 48 carries (5.5). Carolina's 21-year-old rookie Jonathan Stewart, who was picked 13th overall, visits the Metrodome ranked 18th in rushing with 130 yards on 24 carries (5.4).

"[Stewart] fits Carolina's system perfectly as an aggressive downhill runner," said former Redskins and Texans general manager and current CBS analyst Charley Casserly.

Stewart, a 5-10, 235-pounder, was drafted to add power to a backfield that already had 2006 first-round draft pick DeAngelo Williams. Only 25, Williams has 117 yards rushing and a 4.0 average.

Blocking for Stewart and Williams is 6-6, 330-pound rookie right tackle Jeff Otah. The Panthers paid dearly for Otah, trading their second- and fourth-round picks this year and first-round pick next year to Philadelphia for the 19th overall pick they used to select Otah.