5 Things Learned From Seattle's 27-9 Win Over Rams The celebration on the field was muted because the Seattle Seahawks don't want winning a division title to be the apex of their season. But there was an overwhelming sense of accomplishment in Seattle's locker room after the Seahawks knocked off the St. Louis Rams 27-9 on Sunday to wrap up the NFC West title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. "We know we had a couple shots at it earlier, and didn't get that done, so it was frustrating," coach Pete Carroll said. When it came time to finish, we did it. Real proud of that and really excited about what's coming up. By doing so, the favorites in the NFC for most of the season finally clinched the No. Russell Wilson threw for 172 yards and a touchdown, and the Seahawks know they'll be home again on Jan. 11 facing Green Bay, San Francisco or New Orleans in the divisional round of the postseason. St. Louis (7-9) was trying to finish with a .500 record for the first time since 2006, but struggled to get going offensively and was undisciplined with penalties. Here are five things learned from the Seahawks' win over the Rams in their regular-season finale: DOMINANT DEFENSE: Seattle's dominant defense capped its season with a record performance. The Seahawks allowed only 13 yards rushing to the Rams, matching the franchise mark for a game set in 1990 against Green Bay. Seattle finished the season leading the NFL in points allowed per game (14.4), total yards allowed (273.6), yards passing allowed (172.0), interceptions (28) and turnover margin (plus 20). Seattle is the third team since the merger to lead the league in interceptions and yards passing allowed. The previous two reached the Super Bowl. PENALTY PROBLEMS: St. Louis lost its composure while Seattle kept its cool. The Rams were flagged for 12 penalties, including a dizzying stretch of flags in the third quarter that helped Seattle take a 20-3 lead. St. Louis was called for four personal fouls in the span of two plays late in the third quarter - two on Alec Ogletree and two on Kendall Langford. Langford was flagged for making contact with an official, which appeared inadvertent. Langford was ejected and became incensed, slamming his helmet to the turf as he left the field. Two plays later, Lynch walked in from the 2 and Seattle led 20-3. "I think we definitely have to reel it in - I mean as a whole - for sure," St. Louis defensive end Chris Long said. GREAT TATE: Golden Tate is headed into the playoffs coming off the best game of his career. Tate had eight catches for 129 yards and a 47-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The receptions and yards were a career high for Tate, and his TD catch looked very familiar to his touchdown against the Rams in Week 8, but this time without the unsportsmanlike penalty. Tate ended the regular season as Seattle's leading receiver with 64 receptions.