KLINT KUBIAK: Ready when you guys are.
Q. Did you have a fun call with your brother after the past week?
KLINT KUBIAK: You know, he's my brother. I love him. We both beat each other over the years. I'm just so proud of the work that he's put in. Just such a blessing to be in the same league with him and get to see him couple times a year.
So that was a really special moment just to share this game with him, all three of those games.
Q. Is this the different aspect of Sam Darnold we're watching now?
KLINT KUBIAK: Well, just reveals his toughness. Nothing that we haven't already known. He's a real leader to be able to fight through that pain and go play and play a good football game. He's going to keep fighting through it, just like a lot of his teammates. Just like both of the rosters, that's part of the league. However many games we're into right now, nobody is fresh. No player, no coach, and Sam is no different.
Q. Mike Macdonald said that he's already feeling better than he did any time last week. How has that shown up?
KLINT KUBIAK: Well, it shows up when he goes out there, and in the reps that he gets, he looks like Sam. He looks healthy.
Q. First touchdown drive, the first and 20 throw, the second first throw he makes and the touchdown, was that a sense of like, okay, he's fine or...
KLINT KUBIAK: You know, Sam was so confident with us going into it. We didn't change a thing. He looked like himself once the game got going. Obviously got Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, but our training staff did a great job getting him ready to play.
Q. A number of you guys referenced all years the types of ways you have won games. Whether it's close, overtime. When it comes to this situation, do you ever talk about those specific outcomes and games, or is it just an internal knowledge of you can win a game whether your quarterback is at 100%, or whether you...
KLINT KUBIAK: I just think it's the culture that Mike has set. We're more process driven than results. Results take care of themselves when you handle your business. This league is so hard. Players and coaches are so talented that you never really know how it's going to play out.
You just go in there and you play your best football, and whether you have a 40-point game or you score ten, the goal is to win.
So that comes from Mike.
Q. How do you assess the running back spot behind Ken, with Zach being out?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, I think between George, Cam, we got guys that can play. We got some talented backs, and I think it needs to be said how important Zach Charbonnet has been to our team and how much we're going to miss him.
When you think about what is a Seahawk, a guy that's smart, tough and dependable, that's Zach Charbonnet. One of the most impressive individuals I've been around.
You know, a lot of our success has come because of his leadership this year and we're going miss him.
Q. Speaking of Zach, he's such a big factor in the pass game, whether it's protection or getting out routes and those sorts of things. How is the absence going to show up there for you guys?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, I think that's our job as coaches, is to get everybody ready throughout the entire season. We got to go put it on tape this week, see how good of teachers we've been throughout the year.
I think that's why John Schneider has done a great job giving us really smart, dependable players below Zach, so I'm excited for their opportunity.
Q. Not that you necessarily need to give kind of bigger workload, but given the body of work you guys put together this season you think he could handle that?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, Ken is the -- the proof is the on the film. He played some really good football. We have all the confidence in the world with him to carry a heavier load, but it's not all on him. He's got to help behind him.
We're counting on him.
Q. Rams have created turnovers in both the contests and seem to be pretty aggressive and jump in some routes. How do you change that this time around?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, they got a really good defense. Those guys are very well-coached and just great players all around.
All we're trying to do is just be better than the last game. Yeah, we have turned it over and that's what they do as defense. They do a great job of taking the ball away. We got to execute at a higher level.
Q. Amari Kight got significant playing time on Saturday. What did you see from him and how much credit does Grey Zabel get for still being a constant on that side of the line?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, Amari has been an impressive young man since he came in. Doesn't say much but he loves football and he's gotten better. A lot of credit to our coaching staff, Coach Benton and JO and Rico and Q of developing him and the whole group.
Grey Zabel has been a stud all year. Anybody playing next to him at left tackle is going to be more successful.
Q. Josh Jones has not been able to practice for a little while. What does it say about the performance he put in week 18 when he was not feeling his best?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, it was a critical part of our season and Josh stepped up big time. Again, that's why we brought him in Baltimore. We still expect that from him here at the end of the season.
Q. Mike was talking the other about with Jax, he's the same guy whether he's having a 150, two-touchdown game or the ball is not coming his way. When you're coaching and you're seeing how your guys react, what do you see during the game from him in that regard?
KLINT KUBIAK: I would just echo and Coach said. It's boring but that's what great players are. They're consistent, they don't miss practice, they make plays on Sunday, and I think Jax made a lot of plays without the ball, which is a credit to him blocking and being a really good teammate.
He is obviously going to be their go-to guy, but we can count on him in other situations.
Q. What was your experience like you first playoff game coaching at Lumen Field?
KLINT KUBIAK: It was spectacular. It was unbelievable. Love the fans. Gave us obviously a great advantage with the crowd noise. But it's really how it's been for every home game. Our fans are unbelievable. As an assistant coach on other teams you always felt it, so it was good to be on this side of it.
Q. ...talked after the game about what he learned about (indiscernible.) When you have a receiver who is all pro and former player of the year and all that, what does that say...
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, I would put myself in that same category. I've learned a lot from Cooper. He's teaching me things every week, bringing ideas to our staff that we use every Sunday. He's a phenomenal Hall of Fame brain and a guy that's made a lot of plays for us.
Gets a lot of credit for the way he blocks and he should, but he has made some really big plays in the pass game and we're going to keep relying on him there.
Q. Jalen Sundell, what kind of growth have you seen from him?
KLINT KUBIAK: Yeah, I think even going back to the offseason, Jalen stood out with his leadership. You could just see him getting more confident in the scheme and what we're asking him to do. You know, seeing him run-off the ball has been really cool. He's a pro's pro. Glad got we got Jalen.
Q. Do you think it's a coincidence that the run game has really taken off since Eric Saubert has been in the lineup?
KLINT KUBIAK: I don't think so. He's been a valued member of our squad. Just all five lineman playing together, having guys healthy throughout the year plays a big role so guys can get better together. Our training staff and the way Mike structures practice has been really vital to keeping guys healthy. You can't get to that time of year without everybody, so having a healthy crew that continues to practice every day and get better together is a big factor.
Q. The other Jalen, Milroe, we haven't seen him in a while; you guys see him every day. What does his development look like this year?
KLINT KUBIAK: He has to do it away from all the attention just like a lot of young guys. I've seen him get better. When coach gives him the opportunity to practice he's producing. Just a guy that really works hard and loves the game. Same person in April with his love of the game, and his ability to want to improve has stayed throughout the year while not getting the reps.
Obviously he's made of the right stuff. Obviously his mom and dad taught him how to work and we're really grateful to have him.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports