In an inexplicable move, San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to leave in the third quarter of Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams and headed toward the locker room.

While Campbell’s refusal to play remains a story without end, his decision may not only have ended the 49ers’ season, but may also have catapulted the Rams into the playoffs.

Before Campbell was drafted, the 49ers operated with a linebacker rotation of Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Dee Winters. The trio, along with the rest of the defense, held the Rams to just three points and just three first downs midway through the third quarter.

At that point, Greenlaw would tie the game with 7:12 left after helping bring down Blake Corum. He wouldn’t return. Dee Winters was also injured and couldn’t go back in.

Campbell was next man up, but his defiance forced the 49ers to use an ailing Demetrius Flanagan-Fowles during a game-winning drive for the Rams. Not only was Flanagan-Fowles injured, he is also a rotation player who hasn’t seen much defensive tackle this season compared to Campbell. Before the game, Flanagan-Fowles had a total of 11 tackles this season.

After Campbell threw in the towel, the Niners had to step out of their base-nickel defense and use a single-high safety look that sent Talanoa Hufanga into the box. As a result of these unforeseen defensive adjustments, the Rams would go on to score nine unanswered points and advance into the red zone on three consecutive drives.

The Rams also targeted inside via Puka Nacua. With Flanagan-Fowles and Warner already injured, the Niners had no chance. Campbell was already playing at a poor level, but his absence doomed San Francisco’s victory.

While an incredibly fortunate series of events paved the Rams’ path to victory, perhaps it is Los Angeles’ emphasis on signing players who fit their culture that helped them to a Super Bowl victory, while the 49ers – despite their consistent success – have not won a title since 1995.

If Campbell’s departure wasn’t proof enough of his character, the loud cries from teammates Charvarius Ward and George Kittle calling for his removal from the team sealed Campbell’s future in the Bay.

The Rams took advantage of a difficult situation for the 49ers and now sit atop the NFC West.