Circus takeaway: Arizona alum Genesis Smith picks off Josh Allen on back-to-back passes

Former Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith was a takeaway magnet as a Wildcat, and he nabbed his first NFL takeaways on back-to-back drives against Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen on Sunday.

Manning the middle of the field, Smith stepped in front of Bills receiver DJ Moore to snatch Allen’s fifth pass of the day with a stiff arm to tight end Dawson Knox on the return. Smith set his Los Angeles Chargers up in Bills’ territory with the interception.

Genesis Smith picks it off and the Chargers have forced two turnovers in the first quarter@LACvsBUF on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ZPNmigdnpQ

— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026

It was Smith’s first interception of his NFL career, and it didn’t take long for him to get his second. And this one had some extra juice.

Smith ran stride for stride with Moore, a recurring victim of the former Wildcat’s ball skills and positional size at 6-foot-2, knocked the ball off the receiver’s facemask back into his own grasp on the ground.

Genesis Smith with a crazy INT! His second of the day!@LACvsBUF on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/V0MvvChSyb

— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026

It was the very next pass that Allen threw on the ensuing drive, giving Smith interceptions on back-to-back attempts.

Smith, who grew up in Chandler and is a Hamilton High School product, had five interceptions and four fumbles forced in three seasons at Arizona.

The fourth-round pick faced his hometown NFL club to begin his rookie season and logged five tackles in the Chargers’ loss.

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