Just last week Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his lowest game, statistically, all season, catching just two passes for 23 yards. As a player who has been such an integral part of the offense this season, it could be reasonable to think Smith-Njigba would be concerned or bothered by that, but Smith-Njigba has been the exact opposite. And offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said that is what makes him so special.

"I think that tells you all you need to know about him," Kubiak said. "He's a team first guy and would've loved to get him more opportunities, but that's why he is who he is. He's a good teammate first and a great player second and I think all the guys around the locker room respect that about him.

The team wins matter more than any personal feats.

"I'm definitely happy with our guys," Smith-Njigba said. "I'm proud of our guys, we went out there and won 26-0. We're entering championship football and at this time, it's about winning. I'm happy with the win. I know there's things to get better on, as I say every week. So, just attacking that and making sure we win that's like I said, all that matters."

On Thursday, Smith-Njigba added, "I play at my best when I'm playing for others, when I'm playing for Sam (Darnold), the O-line, Coach (Klint) Kubiak, Coop (Cooper Kupp), and guys like that. When I center it on myself it becomes a lot, not that I can't do it, it's just for me, and the way I see my results, it's about me putting my energy into the team and the team effort. That's what we've built here."

This is not a new way of thinking for the third-year receiver. After surpassing DK Metcalf and setting the franchise record for receiving yards in a season, Smith-Njigba didn't want to take all of the credit himself.

"Honestly, I look at it as a team award quite honestly because without Sam (Darnold) and without the protection, without Sheed (Rashid Shaheed) and Coop (Kupp), this doesn't happen. So, I'm grateful and thankful and blessed for my team."

The "team" vs. "I" mindset is a perspective he's had since he was young.

"I love playing with great players and I understand where winning can take you. I understand that this is the ultimate team sport, in my opinion. Somebody has to snap the ball, you have to throw, and you have to get stops. I sit on the bench half of the game, so putting trust and love into others is something that, not only on the field, but off the field I live by. It's just who I am as a person."

His mindset is one that is shared across position groups and amongst rookies and vets. Since Mike Macdonald took over at head coach last season, he began building his team and a culture that includes phrases like, "Chasing edges" and "M.O.B Ties." And since last year, that culture has just continued to get stronger.

"I think for it being Coach (Mike) Mcadonald's second year, what he built from our first year is just growing. Being able to see what we're about put up in front of you, chasing edges, M.O.B. ties, something that we have built. All those things, just being able to build on that and everybody understanding the mission. When you have a lot of guys understanding the mission then going forward, it's a lot easier."

The biggest differences between last season and this season? The camaraderie.

"How we go about each other, how we approach the game, leave it all on the line, make sure you have your brother's back, and I think that's very key. All the best teams I've been on have had that brotherhood. It's definitely cool to see where it has transformed from a year or even in the spring. To have that, I think is key and a clear line communication. That opens the door for great communication, talks, and being able to look your teammate in the eye or coaches in the eye and say, 'This is what I expect from you,' and being able to get it done for the next guy. I love the culture that we're building here. It's awesome and it's a privilege to be a part of it."

That feeling is something that if you ask any player on the roster, you will get the same, or a very similar answer and that shows just how dialed in and connected the group is.

"It's a brotherhood," Smith-Njigba said. "It's something that we've built from the ground up. Seattle is very, if you will, off the map. So, the togetherness, when we travel, when we go places, it's protect the team, protect the brotherhood, and we really stand on that. We really believe that, and it shows every single day. If you're not here maybe it's hard to see, but if you're here every single day you would understand what I'm talking about."

Smith-Njigba says the brotherhood, camaraderie and culture takes buy-in from everyone on the team and something they actively work to uphold.

"It's something that you can easily fake" he said. "It's something that can easily be said… It's another thing to go about it every single day. The leadership, it starts with them and even the guys that we bring in, the rookies, the culture that they're bringing. We listen to each other, we understand we have something special, so to protect that and move forward is something that we're all on the same page of."