Lammey: Steelers matchup a ‘statement game’ for Broncos

Forget beating the Los Angeles Chargers. The true “statement game” for the Denver Broncos would be if they can take down the 7-2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, says Cecil Lammey.

The “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host said the Steelers should be the focus because they’re an “upper-echelon” team in the NFL and they’re “coming into your house.”

“You know what happens if you win against Pittsburgh? All of a sudden everyone across the country starts thinking, well, wait a second. They took down the Chargers on a big old winning streak. They took down the Steelers on their big old win streak. Wait a second, are the Broncos for real?” Lammey said.

Right now, though, there is not much faith in this Broncos team, Lammey said.

“Nobody believes in this team outside of Broncos Country and those guys in that building, and even parts of Broncos Country don’t believe in this team,” Lammey said.

From a national perspective, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter told “Schlereth and Evans” on Friday, Denver is not seen as “overly relevant” this season.

“Show me something. Go beat Pittsburgh. Go reel off a few wins. Go make yourself relevant and get in the conversation. And they haven’t done that,” Schefter said.

But a win against the Steelers not only creates awareness around the country but also gets Denver back into the mix for a playoff spot, said Lammey’s co-host, Mike Pritchard.

“You’re in it now, but you’re really in it if you beat the Steelers,” Pritchard said. “Then you get on a roll, you get three in a row, and now you’re really in it. Now you’re elbows and shoulders in it.

“But the Broncos, they need to win big games to get back in it and, certainly, have something at the end of the season that everybody would be happy about.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.