Fantasy football advice, Week 4: Who to start/sit for Raiders vs. Bears

The Chicago Bears have started the season 0-3 and has looked like maybe the worst team in football. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders have gone 2-1 through an all-AFC North first three weeks, and another win over the Bears Sunday could make them look like actual contenders this season.

From a fantasy perspective, the Raiders come into Sunday’s game healthy, with no fantasy contributors appearing on the injury report. The Bears aren’t nearly so lucky. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is expected to miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury. Quarterback Jay Cutler was expected to miss multiple weeks after a Week 2 injury, but is actually questionable for Sunday, and could see the field.

Oakland travels to Chicago for Sunday’s game, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: Take out Week 1, when he left early with injury, and Derek Carr has looked like a fantasy superstar this season, with 46 fantasy points in two games. And now he gets a Chicago defense that is not exactly special. ... Latavius Murray has improved his fantasy production each week this year. That won’t continue, but he’s a surefire starter. ... Amari Cooper has already looked like a monster three games into his rookie season. He’s a must-start.

Start ‘em?: Through three weeks, Michael Crabtree has had one big game and two sub-par ones. He’s a flex play with a wide range of potential outcomes. ... If the Oakland offense can continue its strong production, Sebastian Janikowski will find himself with more fantasy relevance than he’s had in years. ... The improvements by the offense haven’t trickled down to the Raiders’ defense, but against a Bears’ offense that has fallen apart, it at least has some potential.

Sit ‘em: The Mychal Rivera that had some decent production in 2014 hasn’t had even a small appearance so far this year.

Start ‘em: The team around him is a mess, but Matt Forte is still averaging 13 fantasy points a game. He’s a starter. ... Martellus Bennett is the latest tight end with the chance to capitalize against a Raiders team that can’t stop guys at that position.

Sit ‘em: If Jay Cutler can make it back for Sunday’s game, it will be at least in part because the team can’t stomach starting Jimmy Clausen again. A banged-up starter and a bad backup make for two guys who need to sit the fantasy bench. ... With Jeffery missing another game, you’d think Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson would have the chance to shine, but they’ve combined for 11 fantasy points in three games. Stay far away. ... Robbie Gould actually had decent numbers the first two weeks before Week 3’s goose egg, but the offense doesn’t look strong enough to support a kicker every week. ... The Bears’ defense has a total of one fantasy point this season. One.

Start in every league: Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, Amari Cooper, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett
Start if you’re desperate: Michael Crabtree, Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland defense
Bench: Mychal Rivera, Jay Cutler, Jimmy Clausen, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Robbie Gould, Chicago defense