Fitzpatrick looks like wise pickup

Bucs backup could load up on fantasy points vs. Dolphins.

Awful. Horrible. Atrocious. Catastrophic. Historically bad.

These terms were all used to describe the Miami Dolphins’ defense in Monday’s loss against Carolina. And those were the kinder words we could publish.

Not only did Matt Burke’s unit give up 45 points to Cam Newton and Co., but the defense allowed the Panthers to convert 79 percent of their third downs (11 of 14), allowed 548 yards of total offense (second-most in the league this season, a total that included 294 rushing yards) and allowed five consecutive touchdown drives at one point.

Pretty embarrassing for a defense that includes names like Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake, Lawrence Timmons and Rey Maualuga.

“Five hundred-plus? That’s a damn lot,” Maualuga said after being told about the Panthers’ yardage numbers. “That’s a lot. You see the guys that’s on this defense and there’s no way we should give up 350, let alone 400, let alone whatever you said it was.”

Fantasy football players would agree. And the keenest fantasy football players would take note.

“Why?” you ask.

You should care because it’s not a bad idea to consider picking up and starting opposing players set to face Miami’s defense.

It’s one of those axioms of fantasy football, like handcuffing (picking up a big-time running back’s backup in case the starter gets injured), never drafting a kicker until the final round or never owning anyone from the Cleveland Browns.

Paying attention to your fantasy players’ opponents can be vitally important, whether you’re deciding which player to start in a given week — e.g., player A and player B are equally good, so start the one who’s playing a weaker opponent — or you’re taking a flier on a waiver-wire pickup to help as an injury replacement or during a bye week.

Say you had Aaron Rodgers as your starting quarterback. He goes down injured, so you pick up local guy Jacoby Brissett of the Colts. Indianapolis is on a bye this week, so you’re left with a bunch of rough-looking options on the waiver wire.

You’re trying to decide between, say, Brett Hundley of the Packers and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is starting for Tampa Bay in place of Jameis Winston.

Hundley has been OK in recent weeks, but he’s facing the Ravens, who (according to Yahoo) have given up the second-fewest total of fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick is going against the Fins, who, let’s not forget, gave up approximately 7,000 yards and 18 touchdowns to the Panthers on Monday.

Yes, the Harvard alum — did you know Fitzpatrick went to Harvard? — is just a longtime backup and is owned in just 9 percent of Yahoo leagues, but pit him against Miami and all of a sudden he’s looking like a halfway decent play Sunday.

The old “Start them against the Dolphins!” trick isn’t likely to be in play for other Buccaneers skill players, as running back Doug Martin, wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson and even tight end Cameron Brate are already claimed in most leagues.

But Fitzpatrick has some major weapons at his disposal, and he will get ample opportunity to air it out Sunday at Hard Rock. He’s no Aaron Rodgers, but late in a season chock full of season-altering injuries, he could put up solid numbers against the Dolphins.

So could plenty of other opposing players in subsequent weeks.