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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!

Binge this in 2d 7h•Peaking at 9.6/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 13 - Always
    9.6/10(2234 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.

    Director:Michael Waxman
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  2. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 5 - The Son
    9.5/10(1319 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Rolin Jones

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  3. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 12 - Underdogs
    9.2/10(668 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 13 - Thanksgiving
    9.2/10(658 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  5. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 12 - Texas Whatever
    9.0/10(582 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Kyle Chandler
    Writer:Kerry Ehrin

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  6. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 20 - Mud Bowl
    8.9/10(978 votes)

    #6 - Mud Bowl

    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(962 votes)

    #7 - State

    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 13 - Tomorrow Blues
    8.9/10(604 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  9. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 4 - Hello, Goodbye
    8.8/10(650 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Hudgins

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  10. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 12 - Laboring
    8.8/10(539 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Rolin Jones

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  11. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 5 - Kingdom
    8.7/10(536 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    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(501 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Peter Berg

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  13. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 8 - New York, New York
    8.6/10(581 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 11 - The March
    8.6/10(500 votes)

    #14 - The March

    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(903 votes)

    #15 - Black Eyes & Broken Hearts

    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(636 votes)

    #16 - 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.

    Director:Dean White
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 1 - East of Dillon
    8.5/10(603 votes)

    #17 - 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."

    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(543 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Etan Frankel

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  19. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.4/10(1704 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    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(652 votes)

    #20 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:David Hudgins

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  21. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 10 - The Giving Tree
    8.4/10(526 votes)

    #21 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Friday Night Lights Season 3 Episode 11 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    8.4/10(539 votes)

    #22 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman

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  23. Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 6 - Stay
    8.4/10(550 votes)

    #23 - 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.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 3 - The Right Hand of the Father
    8.4/10(526 votes)

    #24 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman

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  25. Friday Night Lights Season 5 Episode 7 - Perfect Record
    8.4/10(483 votes)

    #25 - 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.

    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 based on 2234 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".