SEATTLE - There was something extra to the Seattle Seahawks celebration on Sunday because at midseason it appeared they were on the verge of not even being in the post-season picture.That turnaround made Seattles celebration of its NFC West title and home-field advantage through the playoffs meaningful in a different way after beating St. Louis 20-6.The Seahawks were 3-3 and 6-4 at key points of this season. And they finished on top of the NFC, riding a six-game win streak and knowing they dont have to leave Seattle again until a potential Super Bowl trip.To finish the season, and be really strong here in December again, thats something we take great pride in, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. Finishing is a big deal to us. Now we have a chance to get into the playoffs and see if we can do something with that as well.Seattle (12-4) took the lead on Marshawn Lynchs 9-yard touchdown run with 12:07 remaining — his 17th TD of the season — and got the capper from Bruce Irvin and his 49-yard interception return for a score less than 3 minutes later. The Seahawks forced three turnovers in the fourth quarter, including Earl Thomas causing St. Louis Benny Cunningham to fumble at the 1 on his way in for a potential TD.I have no doubt. I had no doubt, and this team believes in each other, believes that well find a way to pull it out, Seattle wide receiver Doug Baldwin said.St. Louis (6-10) wrapped up an injury filled season that didnt match expectations the Rams would join the conversation in the NFC West. St. Louis was on the verge of disrupting the NFC playoff picture holding a 6-0 lead, but couldnt capitalize on a pair of Seattle turnovers in the first half and made too many mistakes late.Here are other things that stood out from Seattle beating St. Louis at home in Week 17 for the fourth time in five seasons:BEST Defence: Seattle continued to make the argument its defence could be considered among the best of this era. Seattle finished the season as the NFL leader in yards allowed and points allowed, becoming just the fourth team to accomplish that feat in consecutive seasons.It was the third straight season Seattle led the league in fewest points allowed, only the third time in NFL history that had been accomplished. The last time was the 1969-71 Minnesota Vikings. Seattle allowed 15.9 points this season.SLOW RUN: Seattle has leaned so heavily on its run game that when the Seahawks dont post significant run numbers its notable. The Seahawks finished with 132 yards rushing against the Rams, the fewest in their final five games. It was just the second time in the final nine games the Seahawks were held under 149 yards rushing.Lynch finished with 60 yards on just 14 carries and Robert Turbin had 53 yards on 11 carries, but Russell Wilsons running was shut down by the Rams.BETTER THAN 6-10: St. Louis believes it was better than its 6-10 record. The Rams had home victories over Seattle and Denver, but were unable to break through on the road. The Rams did not beat a road team with a winning record this season and closed the year with three straight losses.Our expectations are high so some people might not be surprised that we come in here and lose a close one, we expect to win, Rams defensive end Chris Long said. It just takes the growth of this team, young guys getting more experience and well be real good next year.FIERCE RUSH: Through five games, the Rams had just one sack. That changed for the Rams when Seattle visited St. Louis in October and continued for the rest of the season. St. Louis finished with 39 sacks in its final 11 games and added three more on Sunday.HAUSCH MONEY: Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka had some unusual struggles last week at Arizona missing three field goal attempts. It was the first time in his career missing three kicks in a single game.Hauschka thanked his teammates last week after a walkthrough for covering for his misses.I feel like Im ready to help this team out. Im sure there is going to be plays where some guys on our team needs help from other players and thats just how it works, Hauschka said.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Wade Boggs Jersey . Kamloops, B.C., the host city of this years Tim Hortons Brier, is where he won his first Canadian mens curling crown in 1996. Joe Kelly Red Sox Jersey . Under the deal, the Vikings will donate an undisclosed sum of money to five gay rights-related charities over the next five years. Kluwe said he wont receive any money as part of the settlement. "This will help a lot of people that really do need that help," Kluwe said. https://www.cheapredsox.com/3061z-mitch-...ey-red-sox.html. Carey Price made 27 saves for Montreal (30-21-6) for his fourth shutout of the year and second in four games. David Desharnais added an empty netter for the Canadiens. Reto Berra stopped 25 shots for Calgary (21-28-7). Babe Ruth Red Sox Jersey . - The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent centre Brian de la Puente. Koji Uehara Red Sox Jersey . According to Yahoo! Sports, the team has reached a five-year deal to play their home games on the roof of the Plaza Hotel and Casino.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss Johnny Manziel, George Springer, Rory McIlroy and the Boston Red Sox. Dave Naylor, TSN - My thumb is down to Cleveland Browns draft pick Johnny Manziel for last weekends Las Vegas adventure, partying it up with Rob Gronkowski and a pool full of bikini-clad young women in a scene out of spring break. Apparently, Justin Bieber couldnt make it. Look, I know what some of you are thinking - what 21-year-old male wouldnt enjoy a weekend like that? And we dont judge them the same way. True enough, but when youre about to become the most scrutinized NFL quarterback since a guy named Tebow, you might want to lay just a bit low. Once youve proven youre Joe Namath on the field, you can act a little more like Joe Namath off it. But this was the first weekend after mini-camp. Theres going to be enough pressure on Manziel without giving people reason to believe he is really more about being Johnny Fratboy than Johnny Football. Steve Simmons, Sun Media - My thumb is up to George Springer, rookie outfielder with the Houston Astros and its not just because he hit seven home runs in seven straight games this week or because he became the first freshman to accomplish this in 77 years. Its up because of what happens almost every time Springer hits a home run. The Astros win and, if not, theyre in the game. The lousy, laughable, displaced Astros, the one team were suppposed to disregard in the American League, are suddenly not a laughingstock.dddddddddddd They have a 6-2 record when Springer hits a home run. Houstons not going to challenge for the playoffs or anything, but it may not lose 100 games for the first time in four seasons. And that, by itself, makes baseball better. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated - My thumb is up, perversely, to Rory McIlroy, who is adept at going low. He opened the Memorial tournament with a 63 Thursday after doing a one-eighty earlier in the week on ex-fiancée Caroline Wozniacki. And by one-eighty, I dont mean just calling off their wedding. Reportedly, he broke up with the tennis star in 180 seconds, via telephone. A three-year-relationship ended by a three-minute call. Talk about going low. Well, it could have been worse. He could have texted her…and used an emoticon. A devastated Wozniacki lost her first-round match at the French Open while a buoyant McIlroy enters todays round in Ohio six shots off the pace. Dave Hodge, TSN - My thumb is down to the Boston Red Sox for making Major League Baseballs career leader in failed drug tests - Manny Ramirez - the star attraction at Fenway Parks celebration of the 2004 World Series championship team. The Red Sox explained that Manny was chosen to throw out the first pitch because he was the 04 World Series MVP, so, sure, that was one reason to pick him. Time does not permit me to list all the reasons not to pick him. ' ' '