Week 4 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em: Verdicts for Patriots vs. Raiders Game

Occasionally, you come across a matchup on the NFL schedule that practically screams, "Fantasy points!"

In Week 4, the one game that stands out as such is Sunday's tilt between the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders. Both teams can score at will, and there are players on both offenses that have been racking up points from the get-go.

So if you have any Pats or Raiders on your team, you might just be inclined to start all of them.

But hold your horses. You have to be smart about these things, so let's take a look at which Pats and Raiders players you should start and which you should sit.

Patriots

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

The Law Firm has had his issues this season. It was nice that he found the end zone twice in New England's first two games, but he had just 10 carries for 18 yards against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. Stevan Ridley looked much better than Green-Ellis, and I wouldn't be surprised if Bill Belichick gave Ridley more work against the Raiders.

Verdict: sit 'em.

Stevan Ridley

Despite what I said above, don't count on Ridley for much. I fully expect the Pats and Raiders to get into a shootout, in which case the Pats will take to the air more often than the ground.

Verdict: sit 'em.

Chad Ochocinco

Ochocinco needs to have a good game against the Raiders. Otherwise he could be cut on Monday morning.

It could happen, but do you really want to trust that it will?

Verdict: sit 'em.

Rob Gronkowski

He has five touchdown catches in three games. Case closed.

Verdict: start 'em.

Wes Welker

He leads NFL receivers in everything except height. Moreover, he presents a huge matchup problem for the Raiders, as he promises to get plenty of receptions on short routes and slants designed to neutralize Oakland's defensive line.

Verdict: start 'em.

Tom Brady

Duh.

Verdict: start 'em.

Raiders

Jason Campbell

Campbell has been a rock for the Raiders, and a very underrated fantasy producer as well. The Raiders will obviously try to establish the run against the Patriots, but they're going to have to take to the air in order to keep pace with the Pats.

At this point, it's worth noting that only the Green Bay Packers have given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Patriots have.

Verdict: start 'em.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

We all want DHB to perform, but he just doesn't. In fact, the Raiders use him more as a decoy and a blocker than they do an actual pass-catcher. Lucky for them, he's good at these things.

Verdict: sit 'em.

Denarius Moore

The hype is real. Moore followed his brilliant game at Buffalo in Week 2 with a solid game against the New York Jets in Week 3. He has loads of talent, and Hue Jackson has made it clear that he aims to use it when he can.

Verdict: start 'em.

Kevin Boss

Boss had two catches for 36 yards in his Raiders debut, which are by no means impressive numbers. With Zach Miller gone, the Raiders seem content to use Boss almost exclusively as a blocker. 

Nevertheless, Campbell is going to need a reliable target besides just Moore, so I'd take a gamble on Boss.

Verdict: start 'em.

Darren McFadden

The loud crash you heard outside your window just now was Darren McFadden. Don't ask what he was doing or why. He does whatever the hell he wants, even if a defense is standing in his way.

Check that. Especially if a defense is standing in his way.

Verdict: start 'em.

Michael Bush

Bush is not going to get yards as long as Run DMC is running, but he will get goal-line carries. He has two touchdowns in his last two games.

Verdict: start 'em.

Both Defenses

Banish them to the darkest corner of your bench.

Verdict: sit 'em.