Five things we learned from Steelers 27, Ravens 22:

1. Northern exposure

While it’s true the Steelers got a leg up on the Ravens in the AFC North, Baltimore controls its playoff fate the rest of the way.

As do the Steelers.

It may sound confusing, but it’s true. If both teams win their remaining games, first place would be decided by the winner of the regular-season finale between the Steelers and Ravens at Acrisure Stadium.

In that event, the Steelers (7-6) would need to beat the Ravens (6-7) a second time to win the division. A Ravens victory would give Baltimore the tiebreaker advantage.

Under this scenario, the Steelers would enter the final game with a 10-6 record, and the Ravens would be 9-7. If the Ravens win the finale, the co-leaders each would be 10-7. The Steelers and Ravens would have split the season series and each would possess a 4-2 division record.

That’s when the third tiebreaker would be applied, and it’s one that would work against the Steelers. That tiebreaker involves the won-loss record in common games.

Again, under the presumption that each team wins its next three games and the Steelers lose the finale, they would lose the common opponents tiebreaker by one game. They would have a 9-5 record in such games. The Ravens would be 10-4.

A breakdown:

Steelers wins: Jets, Patriots, Vikings, Browns, Bengals, Ravens, *Dolphins, *Lions, *Browns

Steelers losses: Bengals, Packers, Bears, Bills, *Ravens

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Ravens wins: Browns, Bears, Dolphins, Vikings, Browns, Jets, *Bengals, *Patriots, *Packers, *Steelers

Ravens losses: Bills, Lions, Bengals, Steelers

* — projected outcomes

Working against the Steelers is that Week 8 home loss to Green Bay in which they blew a 16-7 halftime lead.

2. Moving up

DK Metcalf joked that Aaron Rodgers is a “dual-threat” after the 42-year-old quarterback rushed for a touchdown while also passing for another in the victory at M&T Bank Stadium.

Rodgers doesn’t run quite like he used to, but he did look spry running the bootleg around left end on his way to the end zone for the Steelers’ first score of the game.

Later, Rodgers threw a 38-yard touchdown pass on a screen to Jaylen Warren.

Those accomplishments meant that for the 32nd time in his 21-year career, Rodgers had a rushing and passing touchdown in a game, pushing him past Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young for third on the all-time list. The players ahead of him are Cam Newton with 45 and Buffalo’s Josh Allen, who did it for the 50th time Sunday in a win over the Bengals.

3. Booting up

Corliss Waitman was criticized in this space two weeks ago when he averaged 35.3 yards per punt against Chicago, the third-lowest net total of his career in a game in which he had multiple attempts. It’s only fair to give Waitman some flowers after the way he rebounded against the Ravens.

Waitman tied his season best by recording a 45.8 net average on four punts. In the first quarter, his lone punt was a 48-yard boot that resulted in a fair catch at the Ravens’ 11. He wasn’t called upon again until the fourth when he punted after three consecutive three-and-outs by the offense.

Waitman had a 40-yard net average on the first punt and 42 on the second. On his third try, with the two-minute warning approaching and the Steelers backed up at their 11, Waitman unleashed a 53-yarder. The ball was returned to the 44, but because of a holding call, the Ravens began their final drive at their 26.

4. Stopping Lamar

Some interesting numbers courtesy of the Steelers’ media relations department:

Lamar Jackson owns a 75-29 record, and his .721 winning percentage is fourth all time for a quarterback who has started at least 100 games. Jackson, though, is 2-5 in seven regular-season starts against the Steelers. The Chiefs are the only other NFL team to beat Jackson at least five times. Jackson has a 1-5 record against Kansas City.

Jackson also has a 72.5 career passer rating in his seven starts against the Steelers, his lowest figure against an opponent that he’s faced at least four times. His 57.2 completion percentage is second lowest, and the Steelers have intercepted him 10 times and sacked him 25 times in those seven games.

5. Snap decisions

Tight end Pat Freiermuth returned to a more active role, playing 60% of the offensive snaps after taking the field for just 40% of the plays a week earlier against Buffalo. Freiermuth’s increased workload was partially due to Darnell Washington exiting in the first half with a concussion. Still, Freiermuth totaled just two catches for 9 yards on three targets.

It was a rare game in which the tight ends were de-emphasized in the game plan. Washington caught his only target for 12 yards, and Jonnu Smith didn’t have a catch and was targeted only once.

New wide receivers Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling played 25 and 16 snaps, respectively, with Thielen accounting for the only catch among the duo. Their playing time impacted Calvin Austin, who was on the field for just 16 plays but had a crucial 31-yard reception in the third quarter.

On defense, with Kyle Dugger missing the game because of injury, his safety spot was split between Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers. Clark played mainly on passing downs and had 46 snaps. Peppers played 34. On the line, rookie Yahya Black logged more snaps (64) than Keeanu Benton (47). Esezi Otomewo (23 plays) and Logan Lee (14) also were used as part of the rotation.

Cornerback Asanti Samuel was on the field for just one defensive play.

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