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

A few seats above, a rectangular navy blue banner glistens in the afternoon sunlight above Section 133, “You’re in Broncos Country,” it screams.

Loud cheers, a head coach yelling at an opponent, home court dominance – this is what the start of a new era looks like.

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

It’s officially time to disconnect from the rebuild and face reality: The Broncos have no excuse to miss the postseason after blowing out the Carolina Panthers, 28-14.

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

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

The Broncos reached the halfway mark two games over .500 for the first time since 2016. That team finished 9-7, the franchise’s last winning season. The seven years were defined by white smoke from Broncos headquarters to indicate the team had a new coach.

Denver has the right fit in Payton, an unforgiving leader who gives off Mike Shanahan vibes through his pursuit of excellence. He spent part of his postgame presser lamenting two receiver fumbles, reluctant to wrap his arms around the team’s fifth win in six games.

Sunday is understood to require qualifications: The Panthers were a homecoming opponent, the antidote to the Broncos’ hungry offense. Believing the Broncos will make the playoffs focuses on a bigger picture.