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Justin Fields, Bears perplexed by lack of offsides call on Packers' interception

Fields was intercepted in the first quarter on what he thought was a free play.

CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields thought he had a free play.

On third-and-7 from the Green Bay 47-yard line, Fields saw Packers defensive lineman Kenny Clark jump the count just before he took a shotgun snap with 1:23 remaining in the first quarter Sunday. Believing an offsides penalty on the Packers was coming, Fields looked deep and threw toward the back of the end zone, but Bears receiver Allen Robinson stopped his route.


Packers safety Darnell Savage stayed with the play, sprinting to the end zone to haul in what proved to be an interception – not a free shot for Fields and the Bears. Fields glanced back toward the officials after the play, unclear of why there was no penalty. It proved to be a turning point in the Bears' 24-14 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field.

"I was confused on why there weren't any flags on the ground," Fields said. "I don't know if the refs just missed that or he didn't jump offsides or what.

"My mindset on that, I already have five yards, it's going to be first-and-5. Or we can get a potential downfield throw, potential (pass interference penalty) or potential big play.

"There just happened to not be a flag on that play. Can't really do anything about it."

Fields did what he was coached to do in that particular scenario, Bears coach Matt Nagy said, adding it was something the Bears work on in practice. A member of the officiating crew told Nagy they felt Clark "was not in the neutral zone" at the time of the snap.

The Bears were up 7-0 at the time but lost out on the opportunity to continue their drive. Instead, the Packers marched 12 plays and 80 yards for a game-tying touchdown.

The Bears didn't lead the rest of the game after the Packers' ensuing scoring drive.

"We felt like it was offsides, and that's why we took a shot down the field," receiver Darnell Mooney said. "We looked back, and it wasn't a flag. I feel like that's where our momentum had left us."

 Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.

Fields was intercepted in the first quarter on what he thought was a free play.