Friday Night Lights backdrop
Drama
Friday Night Lights poster

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 The Son
    9.6/10(1.1k votes)

    #1 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  2. Background image for Always
    9.6/10(1.3k votes)

    #2 - Always

    S5:E13

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

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  3. Background image for Underdogs
    9.1/10(610 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  4. Background image for Thanksgiving
    9.1/10(607 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  5. Background image for Texas Whatever
    9.0/10(536 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  6. Background image for State
    8.9/10(879 votes)

    #6 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Friday Night Lights

    READ
  8. Background image for Mud Bowl
    8.8/10(890 votes)

    #7 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  9. Background image for Hello, Goodbye
    8.8/10(595 votes)

    #8 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  10. Background image for Tomorrow Blues
    8.8/10(557 votes)

    #9 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  11. Background image for Laboring
    8.7/10(491 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  12. Background image for Kingdom
    8.7/10(485 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  13. Background image for New York, New York
    8.6/10(529 votes)

    #12 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  14. Background image for Don't Go
    8.6/10(460 votes)

    #13 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  15. Background image for The March
    8.6/10(463 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  16. Background image for East of Dillon
    8.5/10(559 votes)

    #15 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  17. Background image for A Sort of Homecoming
    8.5/10(498 votes)

    #16 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  18. Background image for Pilot
    8.4/10(1.5k votes)

    #17 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  19. Background image for Black Eyes & Broken Hearts
    8.4/10(818 votes)

    #18 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  20. Background image for Leave No One Behind
    8.4/10(575 votes)

    #19 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  21. Background image for Stay
    8.4/10(500 votes)

    #20 - 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.

    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  22. Background image for Perfect Record
    8.4/10(442 votes)

    #21 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  23. Background image for Gut Check
    8.4/10(440 votes)

    #22 - Gut Check

    S5:E9

    Coach threatens to suspend Vince. Luke faces pressure. Billy learns some surprising news from Mindy. Becky starts a surprising new job.

    Director:Chris Eyre
    Writer:Peter Berg
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  24. Background image for There Goes the Neighborhood
    8.3/10(585 votes)

    #23 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  25. Background image for The Giving Tree
    8.3/10(475 votes)

    #24 - 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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  26. Background image for A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
    8.3/10(488 votes)

    #25 - 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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

Best Episodes Summary

"The Son" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.6/10 based on 1125 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Rolin Jones, it aired on 12/2/2009. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Always".