From the 15th row behind the goal posts, a little boy stands and flexes his muscles. A game-day Lucha Libre mask covers his face and a Bo Nix jersey hangs loosely over his shoulders.

A few seats away, a rectangular navy blue banner shimmers in the afternoon sunlight over Section 133. “You're in Broncos country,” it screams.

Full-throttle celebrations, a head coach yelling at an opponent, home dominance – this is what the beginning of a new era looks like.

The Broncos are going to the playoffs. There is no other acceptable way to end this season.

It's officially time to move on from rebuilding and face reality: The Broncos have no excuse to miss the postseason after defeating the Carolina Panthers 28-14.

The only thing that was competitive on Sunday was the halftime corgi race.

“We're going to play teams that are a lot better,” said coach Sean Payton, exchanging pleasantries with the Panthers' Jaycee Horn after the cornerback complained about the Broncos trying to run up the score. “That’s just the truth.”

The Broncos reached halftime two games above .500 for the first time since 2016. This team finished 9-7 in the franchise's last winning season. The seven years since have been marked by puffs of white smoke from Broncos headquarters, indicating the team had a new coach.

Denver has the right guy in Payton, a ruthless leader who gives off Mike Shanahan vibes with his drive for excellence. He spent part of his postgame press conference complaining about two receiver fumbles, unwilling to embrace the team's fifth win in six games.

It's understood that qualifying games are needed on Sunday: The Panthers were a homecoming opponent, the antidote to the Broncos' pass-deficient offense. The belief that the Broncos will make the playoffs focuses on the bigger picture.