Rivers should have very good O-line to protect him in Indy

Quarterbacking the Colts instead of the Bolts, he’ll wear a new shade of blue.

If that isn’t weird enough today for San Diegans who tune into the NFL Redzone channel or game recaps to see Philip Rivers, here’s another scene that will qualify as odd.

In front of Rivers is a security detail that will inspire trust.

“It makes you feel good as a quarterback,” Rivers said this week of his new team’s offensive line.

Conceivably, the Colts will supply Rivers with the best line play of the former longtime San Diegan’s career. For a 38-year-old pocket passer looking to rebound from an interception-plagued season, a good line would seem essential.

The Colts boast a Pro Bowl center in Ryan Kelly, who last week became the NFL’S highest-paid player at the position. At left guard is a seek-and-destroy expert, Quenton Nelson.

Not only is Nelson the team’s best player, he will be the first All-pro lineman to block for Rivers.

Anthony Castonzo, a 132-game starter at left tackle, gives Rivers a reliable blindside protector — but when the quarterback spoke about the linemen this week, he lauded them less for their individual talents than for their rare collective know-how. The group forms a smart team within the team.

“The cohesion with the offensive line to me is the biggest area of guys that you want to be on

Today’s TV games

Green Bay at Minnesota, 10 a.m., L.A. Chargers at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 1:25 p.m., Dallas at L.A. Rams, 5:20 p.m.,

“nip-ups” were canceled. There was none of that — including exhibition games — to use for teaching, improvement, learning new systems and players adjusting to the habits and nuances of others.

Football is a game of adjustments. The winners adjust best.

Going into Thursday night, because of the terrible circumstances this summer, I was thinking early quality of play might not be an oil painting. Chiefs-texans went pretty much according to the blueprint — K.C. yawned and slapped them aside — and it surprisingly wasn’t a penalty-laden, sloppy mess.

But it’s hard to judge off one game. Houston is not in K.C.’S class. Not many teams figure to be, although the Chiefs are beatable, and there’s always the injury factor that must play out.

Can the NFL Team That Used To Be Here — you know, the Judases/l.a. Lodgers/backup Singers — compete with Kansas City? As screwed up as the J’s were last year, the Chiefs didn’t run away from them.

The Lodgers have the defense to compete. But can they score enough to beat K.C. behind Tyrod Taylor? That’s why they play.

Meanwhile, Tom Brady and other stars, bright or fading, made the Bucs offseason darlings. Vegas has them underdogs in their opener vs. the Saints.

The Ravens have the best overall team, with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson — a QB who doubles as the third-best runner in The League. But Lamar has to win a playoff game — more than that, play at least above average in one.

The 49ers are the NFC’S best team. Jimmy Garoppolo is good, and wrongly accused.

I like Tennessee. I like Minnesota. I expect the Cowboys not to play up to their talent. Seattle won’t score enough.

Football is back. And it’s great. For now.

The sausage still must be tasted. …

Thursday football viewership