These aren’t your older brother’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers of the recent past — the Tony Dungy/Jon Gruden incarnations — relied heavily on a stalwart defense that stuffed the run and forced offenses to play the short passing game. These Bucs — those of coach Raheem Morris, quarterback Josh Freeman, receiver Mike Williams, running back LaGarrette Blount, tight end Kellen Winslow — are built around young offensive stars of what should be a swashbuckling outfit that entertains us this season.

But stalwarts in defense they are not.

Tampa Bay ranked in the bottom five in rushing yards allowed per game last season (131.7). That includes a monster day by the Lions in Week 15. Detroit rushed for 181 yards, 109 of them by Maurice Morris, in a 23-20 overtime victory on the road. Come tomorrow in Tampa, we expect more of the same, only this time the major contributor to the Buccaneers’ demise will be Jahvid Best.

Don’t be afraid of Best’s meager 12 yards on six carries in that Week 15 clash. Best dealt with turf toes last season — that’s right, more than one toe. All reports indicate that issue has been contained, and his preseason concussion should not be a factor. So if you have Best, start him this week — it might be one of your few chances before he is hurt again.

dloftis@nypost.com

BIG WEEKS

Beanie Wells (RB)
Cardinals, vs. Panthers

We’re not as high on Beanie Wells as many others, but we think he should fare well in Week 1. We don’t expect Carolina to move the ball, giving Arizona more snaps, which will give Wells more opportunities.

Ryan Mathews (RB)
Chargers, vs. Vikings

We don’t believe the Vikings’ run defense is as strong as it has been. It will be nice to see Mathews show the potential many thought would be put on display last season.

Brandon Jacobs (RB) Giants, at Redskins

You can argue that Albert Haynesworth’s departure is addition by subtraction for a Redskins defense that gave up 130 yards per game on the ground last season. But we’re not convinced their offseason additions will result in immediate returns. A short TD or two from Jacobs should not be a surprise.

Kyle Orton (QB)
Broncos, vs. Raiders

Oakland yielded 29 passing TDs last season, and that was with shutdown corner Nnamdi Asomugha. Without the Great Unpronounceable? It won’t get better.

SMALL WEAKS

Ray Rice (RB)
Ravens, vs. Steelers

It’s hard to bench the explosive sparkplug from Rutgers, but in three games last season vs. the Steelers, Rice totaled 84 yards rushing, 59 receiving and one touchdown.

Felix Jones (RB)
Cowboys, at Jets

Gang Green was stiff vs. the run last season, and we expect no different this year. Only thing scary about sitting Felix is this: The Jets last year didn’t face a runner as elusive and as effective in the passing game as Jones.

Sam Bradford (QB)
Rams, vs. Eagles

We’re not sold on the Eagles as a “Dream Team” just yet, but they did rank third in the league last year in interceptions, and that was without Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Matt Ryan (QB)
Falcons, at Bears

We really like Ryan’s upside this year, but we may have to wait a week to see it. It will take a few weeks for new WR Julio Jones to pick up the offense. Plus, the Bears picked off 21 last year (to just 14 TDs).