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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!

Best episode
S5E13 Always
9.62,245 votes
Worst episode
S2E2 Bad Ideas
7.5695 votes
Top season
Season 4
8.4avg
Binge time
2d 7h
76 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 13 - Always
    9.6/10(2245 votes)

    S5:E13

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

    Director:Michael Waxman
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  2. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 5 - The Son
    9.6/10(1333 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Rolin Jones

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  3. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 12 - Underdogs
    9.2/10(679 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 13 - Thanksgiving
    9.2/10(662 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  5. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 12 - Texas Whatever
    9.0/10(589 votes)

    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.

    Director:Kyle Chandler
    Writer:Kerry Ehrin

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  6. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 20 - Mud Bowl
    8.9/10(990 votes)

    S1:E20

    An chemical spill near Dillon High School forces Coach Taylor and the Panthers to seek another facility in which to play the crucial State Semi-Final game.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Hudgins

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Friday Night Lights

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  7. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 22 - State
    8.9/10(974 votes)

    S1:E22

    The rumors about Coach Taylor leaving the team at the end of the season get a boost when an inside source decides to speak up. Meanwhile, the Panthers are preparing themselves for the state championship.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Jason Katims

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  8. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 4 - Hello, Goodbye
    8.9/10(659 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Hudgins

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  9. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 13 - Tomorrow Blues
    8.9/10(612 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  10. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 12 - Laboring
    8.8/10(543 votes)

    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.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Rolin Jones

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  11. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 5 - Kingdom
    8.7/10(541 votes)

    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.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Peter Berg

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  12. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 10 - Don't Go
    8.7/10(506 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Peter Berg

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  13. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 8 - New York, New York
    8.6/10(590 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 11 - The March
    8.6/10(505 votes)

    S5:E11

    Coach Taylor feels threatened as East Dillon faces serious budget cuts; Tami is flown to Pennsylvania for the opportunity of a lifetime; The Lions begin their quest for state; Vince becomes the man of the house again.

    Director:Jason Katims
    Writer:Peter Berg

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  15. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 16 - Black Eyes & Broken Hearts
    8.5/10(915 votes)

    S1:E16

    Due to racial comments from Coach Mac, the black players on the team refuse to play unless he is sacked.Julie is sucked deeper into the vortex as her friendship with Tyra develops. Matt tries to win Julie back.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman

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  16. Friday Night Lights Season 2 Episode 14 - Leave No One Behind
    8.5/10(649 votes)

    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.

    Director:Dean White
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 1 - East of Dillon
    8.5/10(611 votes)

    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."

    Director:Peter Berg
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  18. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 4 - A Sort of Homecoming
    8.5/10(548 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  19. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.4/10(1725 votes)

    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.

    Director:Peter Berg
    Writer:Peter Berg

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  20. Friday Night Lights Season 2 Episode 10 - There Goes the Neighborhood
    8.4/10(663 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Hudgins

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  21. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 6 - Stay
    8.4/10(555 votes)

    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.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 11 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    8.4/10(548 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman

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  23. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 10 - The Giving Tree
    8.4/10(536 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 3 - The Right Hand of the Father
    8.4/10(530 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman

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  25. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 7 - Perfect Record
    8.4/10(488 votes)

    S5:E7

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

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Peter Berg

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Best Episodes Summary

"Always" is the best rated episode of Friday Night Lights. It scored 9.6/10 from 2,245 votes. Directed by Michael Waxman and written by Jason Katims, it aired on February 9, 2011.

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