Fantasy football sit/start advice, Week 6: Chargers vs. Raiders

Sunday's matchup between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders could could get ugly. The Chargers are owners of one of only three 4-1 records in the NFL and the league's best point differential. The Raiders are one of two winless teams and with easily the fewest points scored. Sure, any given thing can happen on any given day, but this game shapes up for some roughness.

The Chargers have been mining the depths for their running backs this season. With Danny Woodhead done for the year, and Ryan Mathews still out with a knee injury, the team is now without Donald Brown with a concussion. On the receiving side, Keenan Allen has been limited in practice with a quadricep injury, while Malcom Floyd is dealing with a calf injury. Allen should definitely play, while Floyd is more of a question mark. On the Raiders side, quarterback Derek Carr used the bye week to work on his knee and ankle injuries, and it looks like he's in line to play Sunday.

Start 'em: If there were a first-five-weeks MVP, it very well might be Philip Rivers, who is now firmly in the must-start category of quarterbacks. He's a top-tier guy. ... Branden Oliver came basically out of nowhere to put up 29 fantasy points last week, and while he isn't that good, against Oakland, he's still a strong RB2. ... I'll admit to being frustrated that Keenan Allen couldn't build on his strong Week 4 last week, but I'm still calling him a fine WR2 or flex play for now. Check back next week. ... Antonio Gates seems very boom-or-bust these days, but the boom chances are good enough to still have him slotted as a starter. ... Few kickers have been as valuable as Nick Novak so far. ... The Chargers' defense has been great so far this year, and against that awful offense, I have them as my No. 1 unit this week.

Sit 'em: With Malcom Floyd either out or hindered, Eddie Royal becomes more interesting, but ultimately I don't think either is reliable enough to use unless you're super desperate.

Start in every league: Philip Rivers, Branden Oliver, Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates, Nick Novak, Defense/special teams

Start 'em?: With eight or more fantasy points in three of four games, James Jones is at least relevant, if nowhere near a sure thing.

Sit 'em: It looks like Derek Carr will be back starting at quarterback, but whether it's him, Matt McGloin, or Matt Schaub, there's no possible way you can use any of them. ... Darren McFadden has placed himself back above Maurice Jones-Drew in the depth and fantasy-relevance charts, but there's a huge gap between that and actual usefulness. ... Andre Holmes is interesting as a flyer, but you want to see more before you even think of investing as a starter. .... That's three straight one-point fantasy games for Mychal Rivera. ... Sebastian Janikowski has kicked for exactly two fantasy points in three of four games. ... The Raiders' defense against a strong Chargers' offense? Nope.