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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 1d 21h•Peaking at 9.8/10

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

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Seasons5

#1 Fan Favorite
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9.8/10(5 votes)
#1 - Always
S5:E132/9/2011
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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Director:Michael Waxman
Writer:Jason Katims
9.3/10(3 votes)
#2 - Underdogs
S3:E121/7/2009
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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Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
9.0/10(2 votes)
#3 - Tomorrow Blues
S3:E131/14/2009
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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Director:Unknown
Writer:Jason Katims
9.0/10(2 votes)
#4 - Kingdom
S5:E512/1/2010
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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Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:Peter Berg
9.0/10(2 votes)
#5 - Perfect Record
S5:E712/15/2010
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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Director:Adam Davidson
Writer:Peter Berg
9.0/10(2 votes)
#6 - Don't Go
S5:E101/19/2011
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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Director:Unknown
Writer:Peter Berg

The 20 WORST Episodes of Friday Night Lights

9.0/10(2 votes)
#7 - Texas Whatever
S5:E122/2/2011
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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Director:Kyle Chandler
Writer:Kerry Ehrin
8.7/10(3 votes)
#8 - Hello, Goodbye
S3:E410/22/2008
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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Director:Unknown
Writer:David Hudgins
8.7/10(3 votes)
#9 - It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy
S3:E611/5/2008
Coach is furious with Tim and the team for a freshman hazing. J.D. wins the respect of the town and team. A late night swim at the lake turns into more for Julie and Matt. Tyra is shocked when a woman shows up claiming Cash owes her child support.
Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:Unknown
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Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:Unknown
8.7/10(3 votes)
#10 - New York, New York
S3:E811/19/2008
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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Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.7/10(3 votes)
#11 - A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
S3:E1112/17/2008
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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Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.6/10(8 votes)
#12 - Pilot
S1:E110/3/2006
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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Director:Peter Berg
Writer:Peter Berg
8.5/10(2 votes)
#13 - Keep Looking
S5:E411/17/2010
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.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Peter Berg
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Director:Unknown
Writer:Peter Berg
8.3/10(3 votes)
#14 - State
S1:E224/11/2007
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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Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Jason Katims
8.3/10(3 votes)
#15 - Every Rose Has Its Thorn
S3:E510/29/2008
Matt grapples with his mother, his emotions and Coach Taylor as McCoy garners more attention. Tami tangles with Tyra about Julie and Tyra's interest in Cash. Tyra experiences Cash's darker side. Erin disappoints Jason.
Director:Jason Katims
Writer:Unknown
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Director:Jason Katims
Writer:Unknown
8.3/10(3 votes)
#16 - The Giving Tree
S3:E1012/10/2008
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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Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.3/10(3 votes)
#17 - The Right Hand of the Father
S5:E311/10/2010
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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Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.2/10(5 votes)
#18 - Blinders
S1:E152/7/2007
The Panthers savor their crucial playoff-win-until race issues emerge and sorely test their bond after Mac makes racial statements.Tami frowns upon Julie's newfound friendship with Tyra. The girls play a powder-puff football game.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Carter Harris
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Director:Unknown
Writer:Carter Harris
8.2/10(5 votes)
#19 - I Think We Should Have Sex
S1:E172/21/2007
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.
Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
Writer:Unknown
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Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
Writer:Unknown
8.0/10(5 votes)
#20 - Homecoming
S1:E711/14/2006
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.
Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:David Hudgins
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Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:David Hudgins
8.0/10(5 votes)
#21 - Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
S1:E193/21/2007
With TMU trying to recruit Coach Taylor, Julie insists that she will not be moved away from Matt and Dillon. The quad rugby recruiters in Austin deliver some bad news to Jason. Riggins becomes friends with a single mother and her son.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Jason Katims
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Director:Unknown
Writer:Jason Katims
8.0/10(3 votes)
#22 - Are You Ready for Friday Night?
S2:E310/19/2007
Matt and Smash have a hard time listening to their coach as they prepare for their first game of the new season. Coach Taylor heads back to Dillon to check on his family and finds out just what is happening to the Panthers since he's left.
Director:Seith Mann
Writer:Unknown
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Director:Seith Mann
Writer:Unknown
8.0/10(2 votes)
#23 - Backfire
S2:E410/26/2007
Tim and Jason go to Mexico as Street hopes to explore experimental surgery. Riggins, who is worried about Street, turns to Lyla Garrity, who's busy helping a newcomer acclimate to Dillon. Meanwhile, Coach Taylor decides on a big career move that will change his life. A development in a police search deeply affects the lives of Tyra and Landry.
Director:Jonas Pate
Writer:David Hudgins
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Director:Jonas Pate
Writer:David Hudgins
8.0/10(3 votes)
#24 - Let's Get It On
S2:E511/2/2007
Coach Taylor returns to Dillon, but it is not an easy homecoming; the team must deal with conflict between Saracen and Smash; Riggins turns to Lyla for help in changing Street's mind about surgery.
Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
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Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.0/10(3 votes)
#25 - How Did I Get Here?
S2:E611/9/2007
Key evidence comes in implicating Landry; when Tami's sister visits to help her with the baby, she stirs things up in the house; Riggins must prove to coach Taylor that he wants to be a part of the team.
Director:Jonas Pate
Writer:Carter Harris
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Director:Jonas Pate
Writer:Carter Harris

Best Episodes Summary

"Always" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.8/10 based on 5 votes. Directed by Michael Waxman and written by Jason Katims, it aired on 2/9/2011. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Underdogs".