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The Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights

Every episode of Friday Night Lights ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights!

The Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights

The trials and triumphs of life in the small town of Dillon, Texas, where high school football is everything.

Seasons5

  1. Background image for Always
    9.7/10(3 votes)

    #1 - Always

    S5:E13

    While the Lions prepare for the state championship game, the Taylors face several decisions that could change their lives forever.

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  2. Background image for The Son
    9.6/10(1.1k votes)

    #2 - The Son

    S4:E5

    Julie, Landry, Coach, and Tami rally around Matt in a time of crisis; Vince endangers his rising star as a football player by engaging in criminal activity in order to support his family; Becky and Tim grow closer.

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    Director:Unknown
  3. Background image for Underdogs
    9.1/10(604 votes)

    #3 - Underdogs

    S3:E12

    J.D.'s dad has to deal with child protective services after his fight with J.D. Tyra realizes that life isn't fair and that she needs to do whatever is necessary to get in to college. Matt and Tim prepare for the last game of their high school career: The Texas State Championship.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Thanksgiving
    9.1/10(601 votes)

    #4 - Thanksgiving

    S4:E13

    The Taylors host Thanksgiving dinner; Coach tells Vince he has to be more selfish; Tami must make an apology; Julie and Landry are surprised by a visitor from their past; Tim makes a difficult decision; East Dillon rallies around the Lions.

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    Director:Unknown
  5. Background image for Pilot
    9.0/10(4 votes)

    #5 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    A newcomer coach Eric Taylor finds himself helming a promising high school football team, the Dillon Panthers, that has a real chance to make it to the top.

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    Director:Peter Berg
    Writer:Peter Berg
  6. Background image for Homecoming
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Homecoming

    S1:E7

    As the Panthers get ready to face the dominating Laribee Lions, the 2000 State Champ quarterback, Lucas Mize is set to join the team.Smash catches his chance to convince a college scout of his talents. A focused Tim quits drinking. Jason's suspicions of Lyla and Tim's affair grow. Tyra and Billy set up an after game homecoming party.

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  8. Background image for The Right Hand of the Father
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - The Right Hand of the Father

    S5:E3

    Someone from Vince's past resurfaces. Julie connects with a faculty member. Eric tries to instill discipline in the team. Buddy is troubled after learning something about his son.

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  9. Background image for Keep Looking
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - Keep Looking

    S5:E4

    Coach is forced to play mediator as tensions erupt in the locker room. Luke gets recruited. Buddy deals with the trials and tribulations of fatherhood. Tami deals with a troubled student. The Lions welcome a new player.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Peter Berg
  10. Background image for Kingdom
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - Kingdom

    S5:E5

    Coach discusses recruitment regulations. The Lions take a road trip. East Dillon's four stars make a pact. Julie's relationship becomes more complicated.

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  11. Background image for Perfect Record
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - Perfect Record

    S5:E7

    Rivalry week stirs up controversy. Vince is caught in the middle between Coach and Ornette. Billy takes Luke under his wing.

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    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Peter Berg
  12. Background image for Don't Go
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - Don't Go

    S5:E10

    An elite college football program attempts to lure Coach away from East Dillon. Vince vows to earn his spot back. Friends and family speak at Tim's parole hearing. East Dillon holds a Fall Sports Banquet.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Peter Berg
  13. Background image for Texas Whatever
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - Texas Whatever

    S5:E12

    Coach Taylor is offered a deal he can’t refuse; Tim assesses his future plans when an old flame returns to Dillon; The fate of East Dillon’s football program is decided.

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    Director:Kyle Chandler
  14. Background image for Tomorrow Blues
    8.9/10(551 votes)

    #13 - Tomorrow Blues

    S3:E13

    Five months later, Coach Taylor's contract is up for review on Billy and Mindy's wedding day. Tyra grows anxious about her waitlist status. Matt leaves Grandma Saracen and Julie behind to attend college. Tim and Lyla question their future together.

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    Director:Unknown
  15. Background image for Hello, Goodbye
    8.8/10(589 votes)

    #14 - Hello, Goodbye

    S3:E4

    Tami embarrasses herself with the superintendent. Tyra breaks with Landry to take up with Cash, the new bad boy in town. Julie advises Matt who is upset with his mother who has come to help with grandma. Smash has an emotional goodbye with Coach.

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    Director:Unknown
  16. Background image for Laboring
    8.7/10(486 votes)

    #15 - Laboring

    S4:E12

    Tensions in town run high as the Panthers/Lions game approaches; Coach tells Luke he won't be playing; Tami attempts to placate her detractors; developments both good and bad shake up the Riggins boys; Vince teams up with Kennard to seek revenge.

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    Director:Adam Davidson
  17. Background image for New York, New York
    8.6/10(524 votes)

    #16 - New York, New York

    S3:E8

    Tim is worried when Jason talks about leaving Dillon. Money troubles cause a riff between Tami and Eric. Tyra leans on Cash when things get tough, while Julie talks to her dad about Matt's idea.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for I Think We Should Have Sex
    8.5/10(2 votes)

    #17 - I Think We Should Have Sex

    S1:E17

    After Julie reveals to Matt that she wants to have sex with him, Matt feels the need to put together something special. Tim clashes with his father.The Panthers are into the next round of the playoffs and looking solid.

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  19. Background image for East of Dillon
    8.5/10(553 votes)

    #18 - East of Dillon

    S4:E1

    Coach Taylor wonders how low his fortunes can sink as he struggles to pull the East Dillon Lions together while Tami navigates the new politics at West Dillon. Meanwhile, Matt gets a taste of life as a townie and Tim is inspired by a college lecture on "the hero's journey."

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    Director:Peter Berg
  20. Background image for A Sort of Homecoming
    8.5/10(491 votes)

    #19 - A Sort of Homecoming

    S4:E4

    Homecoming at the newly-reopened school prompts Coach to investigate East Dillon's history. Tami feels the wrath of the boosters. Landry and Vince both like Jess. Julie accompanies Devin to a gay bar. Matt and Tim go hunting.

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    Director:Unknown
  21. Background image for Leave No One Behind
    8.4/10(569 votes)

    #20 - Leave No One Behind

    S2:E14

    Matt Saracen reaches at his lowest point. Meanwhile, Tami Taylor’s relationship continues to blossom with Tyra. Julie becomes envious. Landry has an admirer. Elsewhere, Smash seeks advice from Coach Taylor.

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    Director:Dean White
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Stay
    8.4/10(496 votes)

    #21 - Stay

    S4:E6

    Coach searches for a strategy to shut down their toughest opponent yet. Tim reconnects with Lyla. Vince discovers he has a gift for car theft. Julie and Matt attend a concert in Austin and reach a critical juncture in their relationship.

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    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for There Goes the Neighborhood
    8.3/10(580 votes)

    #22 - There Goes the Neighborhood

    S2:E10

    Dillon County is hit by a tornado with Laribee High School affected by the damage forcing both rivals to share Dillon's resources. Julie and Tami adjust to Tim Riggins' living in their house, and tension builds between Landry and Tyra.

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    Director:Unknown
  24. Background image for The Giving Tree
    8.3/10(471 votes)

    #23 - The Giving Tree

    S3:E10

    It becomes clear JD has no interest in his father's advice regarding Madison. Lyla turns to Riggins when Buddy reveals a secret. Coach is emotionally challenged both on and off the field. Tyra has a plan to repair her relationship with Landry.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    8.3/10(483 votes)

    #24 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

    S3:E11

    Tyra is desperate and once again turns to Landry. Coach and Tami learn of a change that could dismantle the Panthers team. Tim sees another side of Lyla. Matt flips out when Grandma suffers an accident. Tensions escalate between JD and Joe.

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  26. Background image for How the Other Half Lives
    8.2/10(481 votes)

    #25 - How the Other Half Lives

    S3:E3

    Coach worries and fears for his job as Tami befriends Katie McCoy. The pressure is on Matt as everyone's hopes turn to the new quarterback. Matt's friendly with Julie. Billy drags Tim into a risky scheme to get them out of debt. Lyla cautions Tim.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Always" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.7/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by Michael Waxman and written by Jason Katims, it aired on 2/9/2011. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Son".