Thursday games traditionally are more sloppy and ugly than their Sunday brethren. Whether it is because of a lack of prep time on a short week or the fact it is the dumping ground to satisfy the rule that every team must appear at least once in prime time, Thursday games bring a unique sense of fantasy dread.

So when you get a matchup like this Buccaneers-Panthers one — in which neither team looked particularly sharp Sunday, when both quarterbacks dropped fantasy duds — those Thursday night worries are amplified.

Except Christian McCaffrey. Everyone knows you always start Christian McCaffrey. No worries, C-Mac, you’re in everyone’s lineup.

But how do you trust any other player in a game like this, that offers a pair of untrustworthy quarterbacks? Many, like the Madman, were high on Jameis Winston this season, under new Bucs coach Bruce Arians. Based on Week 1, either Winston isn’t up to speed yet, or it just isn’t going to work. We like to think he eventually will get a handle on the offense, but we don’t expect that will happen on a short week. Bench Winston.

His Carolina counterpart, Cam Newton, hasn’t looked like himself since about mid season last year. Sunday’s opener didn’t quell any fears that his former fantasy greatness will remain forever “former.” Consider sitting him if you have usable alternatives — like Phillip Rivers or Tom Brady.

Otherwise, for Tampa Bay, you can’t take Mike Evans out of your lineup despite a frustrating start. You can do worse in the Flex spot than Chris Godwin. Despite a terrible opener, we still consider O.J. Howard a bankable tight end.

The running backs, though? Keep both Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones on the shelf. Indefinitely, not just Thursday night.

For Carolina, consider DJ. Moore as a Flex, but pump the brakes on Curtis Samuel. We know McCaffrey will get his, and Moore is the best WR Carolina has, but asking Newton to feed three fantasy beasts in the passing game seems overly optimistic at this point. So, Samuels takes a seat.

And as much as we want to see a good season by Greg Olsen, he just isn’t a good fantasy option anymore.

So choose your Thursday options wisely, knowing it could get ugly.