In the days leading up to the first playoff game of his NFL career, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin found himself waking up earlier, "just anxious to get to this moment."
But once the first postseason of Rubin's eight-year career actually began, things were normal, he said. And Rubin playing like he usually does was very good news for the Seahawks in their wild-card victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Rubin, who in seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns played on seven teams that finished with losing records and had five different head coaches, signed with the Seahawks this offseason and took over the starting defensive tackle role that had previously been filled by Tony McDaniel, and before that Alan Branch. And while he doesn't play a position that gets a lot of attention, Rubin has quietly been one of the most important offseason acquisitions the Seahawks made in 2015.
With Rubin and Brandon Mebane anchoring the middle of Seattle's defensive line, the Seahawks led the NFL in run defense for the first time in franchise history, and did not allow a single 100-yard rusher all season despite facing four backs who finished in the top eight in rushing yards: Adrian Peterson (twice), Todd Gurley, Darren McFadden and Jonathan Stewart. Against Minnesota Sunday, Seattle limited Peterson to just 45 yards on 23 carries (2.0-yard average). In Peterson's two games against the Seahawks, the NFL's leading rusher tallied just 63 yards on the ground.
"You've got to give all the credit to Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin," defensive end Michael Bennett said. "Mebane and Rubin, they've been playing great defense. They don't get a lot of credit because they don't have the stats of some D-tackles, but up front we've been number one in the run game, and you've got to give credit to the front when that happens… To have the number one rush defense and not give up a 100-yard rusher, that says a lot about your team."
While Rubin's work in the trenches can be easy to miss at first glance, he did have one play that jumped out Sunday, recovering a fumble on the sideline after Kam Chancellor stripped the ball from Peterson following an 8-yard reception.
"I played the play like I normally do—hit the guard, look towards where the ball is going, chase it down, and I just saw it pop on the ground and I just jumped on it and got the recovery," Rubin said.
Rubin seeing that as a routine play explains one of the biggest things the Seahawks liked about Rubin when they signed him. It's not normal for a 325-pound defensive tackle to be in position to recover a fumble down field on the sideline, but that kind of hustle is a big part of Rubin's game.
"I didn't realize this during the game, but after watching the film, he played a terrific football game," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "He was all over the place chasing the ball. His play at the line of scrimmage was really stout. Taking on double teams, and splitting double teams, and making big tackles. And he does chase the football. He's been doing that all year long, and that's exactly what happens to guys that run like that, he's there. Earl's (Thomas) the first guy there and goes flying by the ball, and then Rubin got his hands on it and would not give it up. But he's had a fantastic season, and I thought he had a fantastic football game."
Carroll has been saying all season long that if you watch Rubin long enough, you'll see him make a big play with his hustle. Carroll usually mentioned the possibility of a big hit, and there have been some of those, but it turned out that Rubin's extra effort in his first postseason game helped secure the turnover that set up Seattle's go-ahead score.
"He's done that all year long, and couldn't have been better than to happen in this game too," Carroll said. "… He's unique. I think it really stands out, because he's a big, strong, tough football player that he's just got the mentality to take off and run. Most guys don't run like that. We pride ourselves on pursuit, as everybody does, but when you see your biggest guys inside running like that, it fires everybody up. I promise you (defensive coordinator Kris Richard) showed his plays in the film room over and over again today, and everybody's cheering for him and all that. And then when he gets that big fumble recovery, which is a huge play in the game initiated by Kam, those guys are really fired up for him. He inspires guys, so that's a big deal."
Team photographer Rod Mar traveled with the Seahawks on their first leg of the playoffs to Minnesota and took these photos for this week's photo essay, featuring the nail-biting win over the Vikings in the Wild Card matchup.
The road trip began with head coach Pete Carroll exiting the VMAC and making his way to Bus #1 for the ride to the airport for the trip to Minnesota.
12s lined Seahawks Way and cheered as the caravan of buses passed on the way to Sea-Tac International Airport for the team's flight to Minnesota.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner wore his trusty and distinctive backpack onto the flight.
At the start of the team's Saturday walk thru, head coach Pete Carroll ducked away as snowballs were being tossed his way by receiver Doug Baldwin.
Defensive back Richard Sherman chats with defensive coordinator Kris Richard during Saturday's walk-thru.
Receiver Tyler Lockett tried his hand at shooting photos at the end of walk thru.
Tyler Lockett then gave the camera back to the photographer and showed his teammates how a leaping pose was supposed to look.
At the end of walk thru, defensive end Michael Bennett and head coach Pete Carroll displayed a 12 flag signed by thousands of fans back in Seattle on Blue Friday.
By Saturday afternoon, the Seahawks equipment staff had the locker room ready for game day and did their usual exemplary job providing players, coaches and staff with the necessary clothing to battle the sub-zero temperatures expected at kickoff.
Following walk-thru on Saturday, the team paid a brief visit to the field at TCF Bank Stadium and Richard Sherman called up the team before the players returned to the buses.
Game day arrived and a fan attempts to take a selfie with Pete Carroll as the Seahawks head coach headed to the bus for the ride to the stadium.
Quarterback Russell Wilson keeps his hands warm between warmup throws during early pregame.
Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman heads to the field for his early pregame routine, dressed for the sub-zero temperatures in Minneapolis.
Seahawks fans were plentiful and loud at the stadium on game day, as unofficial thermometer registered the temperature on the sidelines.
Back in the locker room, running backs Christine Michael (lying on ground) and Fred Jackson created moments of solitude for themselves. Michael had never carried the ball in a playoff game and Jackson was playing in his first.
In another corner of the Seahawks locker room, rookie receiver Tyler Lockett also mentally prepared for his first NFL playoff game.
Seahawks veteran defensive lineman Brandon Mebane got the team fired up before they left the locker room for kickoff.
Bruce Irvin runs on the field during pregame introductions. Despite the sunny skies, temperature at kickoff was listed at -6 degrees below zero.
The Vikings sought to establish their running game with the league's leading rusher in Adrian Peterson, but Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett fought off a block with one hand while tackling Peterson with the other on this stop in the first quarter.
Michael Bennett again got the best of Minnesota's Adrian Peterson on this play.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson breaks the pocket in the first quarter and tries to run for a first down.
Plenty of 12s braved the bitter cold to witness the wild-card game between the Seahawks and the Vikings.
Seahawks punter Jon Ryan was an unsung hero, aborting a poor snap and being injured on a subsequent running attempt at a first down, but he finished the game and continued punting despite a broken nose.
Minnesota's Jerrick McKinnon tries to come down with this pass but Seahawks safety Earl Thomas sped over to break up the play.
The extreme winter conditions affected players and fans in the completely outdoor stadium at the University of Minnesota.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks downfield.
The Seattle defense was strong all day, and on this play ganged up to stop Minnesota's Mycole Pruitt.
At halftime, Richard Sherman sat with his defensive teammates to recap second half strategy in the warm locker room.
On the offensive side of the locker room quarterback Russell Wilson and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell reviewed strategy.
Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin came across the middle, leapt high and snagged this pass from Russell Wilson with one hand and completed the catch in the third quarter.
The Vikings kept feeding running back Adrian Peterson but the Seahawks stayed disciplined and on this play Cliff Avril forced Peterson back into his own quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for a loss.
On the Seahawks sideline, offensive line coach Tom Cable huddled his players around between offensive series.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson takes off to recover an ill-timed snap from center Patrick Lewis as Vikings defenders converge on the ball and Seattle running back Christine Michael.
After Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson recovered a bad snap, he found receiver Tyler Lockett open in the secondary and they completed a pass play down to the Minnesota four-yard line.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin carefully cradles the football as he heads to the end zone for the game's only touchdown and cut the Vikings lead to 9-7 in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin and quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate after they combined on the game's only touchdown with just under 12 minutes left in the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll cheers on the sidelines after the Seahawks scored for the first time in the game to cut the lead to 9-7.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett goes up and competes with Minnesota's Xavier Rhodes for a ball near the end zone.
Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka nails a 46-yard field goal with the hold by punter Jon Ryan to give the Seahawks a 10-9 lead over the Vikings in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota drove deep into Seattle territory, but another one-armed tackle of Adrian Peterson by Michael Bennett forced the Vikings to try a game-winning field goal.
Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh pulls his 27-yard field goal attempt wide left, ending his team's chances.
After the improbable missed field goal by Minnesota, Seahawks defensive players DeShawn Shead, Cassius Marsh, Richard Sherman and Brandon Mebane rejoice.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman falls to the turf in disbelief as teammates DeShawn Shead, Earl Thomas, Brandon Mebane and Kelcie McCray celebrate.
Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor points skyward after the final whistle as Seattle escaped and advanced with a 10-9 victory over the Vikings.
Seahawks fans who braved the cold were rewarded with a 10-9 victory in the freezing tempertures.
Safety Earl Thomas and quarterback Russell Wilson near midfield after the victory, preparing for a joint prayer with Vikings players.
The scoreboard told the story at game's end, with the Seahawks a 10-9 victor, advancing to next week's divisional round of the playoffs.
Seahawks defensive leader Michael Bennett leads 12s in a "SEA-HAWKS" chant as he makes his way up the tunnel to the locker room after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll is fired up in the locker room after the victory.
The joyous receiving corps shouts as Jermaine Kearse records a Snapchat video in the vicarious locker room.
With the sun setting, offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy walks up the stairs to the team's Delta charter flight for the trip back to Seattle.
On board the team's charter, defensive linemen Michael Bennett, Bruce Irvin and Cliff Avril smile as they review game tape on the flight home.
Hundreds of fans were waiting for the Seahawks return to Seattle and they cheered and waved signs as the buses passed.
