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The Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights Season 1

Every episode of Friday Night Lights Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Friday Night Lights Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 54m•Peaking at 8.9/10

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
    Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.4/10(1546 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 2 - Eyes Wide Open
    7.8/10(1023 votes)

    #2 - Eyes Wide Open

    S1:E2

    As the team pulls together and tries to help Matt get used to his new role as quarterback after Jason's injury, Lyla offers her support to Tim.Jason learns about the extent of his injury, and Tami gets a job as the school guidance counselor.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  3. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 3 - Wind Sprints
    7.8/10(977 votes)

    #3 - Wind Sprints

    S1:E3

    The situation in town begins to get ugly as Coach Taylor and his family is forced to endure heat from a difficult loss against the San Marco HS Rattlers.Tim and Tyra break up after he confronts her about Smash, and Lyla, after having an argument with Jason, vents her anger onto Tim.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 4 - Who's Your Daddy
    7.6/10(924 votes)

    #4 - Who's Your Daddy

    S1:E4

    As the Panthers prepare for a match against the Tigers, who are their biggest rival, Jason's new roommate tries to help him understand the potential he has for recovery.Lyla tells Tim of her regrets about what happened between them, and Matt hits an all-time low.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 5 - Git 'Er Done
    8.0/10(918 votes)

    #5 - Git 'Er Done

    S1:E5

    The big game against the Tigers drawing closer, Coach Taylor must decide between Matt and the self-assured recruit Ray "Voodoo" Tatum for the starting quarterback. The feelings between Tim and Lyla grow stronger. Jason's newly-found motivation strives him to begin the rehab.

    Director:Mark Piznarski
    Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman

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  6. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 6 - El Accidente
    7.8/10(871 votes)

    #6 - El Accidente

    S1:E6

    Ray Tatum faces the blame of his team mates after Panthers' win in the game last week might be overturned. Defensive tackle Bobby Reyes is arrested by the police during a practice for beating a student. Coach Taylor and Buddy Garrity are questioned by the Texas High School athletic administration.Lyla and Tim surprise Jason by taking him to the lake.

    Director:Dan Lerner
    Writer:Carter Harris

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  7. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 7 - Homecoming
    7.7/10(865 votes)

    #7 - 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.

    Director:Patrick R. Norris
    Writer:David Hudgins

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  8. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 8 - Crossing the Line
    7.8/10(858 votes)

    #8 - Crossing the Line

    S1:E8

    Julie thinks about going on a date with Matt. A discouraged Smash turns to foul play to improve his on-pitch performance. Cheered by Lyla and Tim, Jason has his first quad rugby game. A dinner turns into a fight for Coach Taylor, Tami, Riggins and his brother.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 9 - Full Hearts
    7.9/10(843 votes)

    #9 - Full Hearts

    S1:E9

    Smash continues to go the extreme to improve his performance. Rumors begin to spread about Tim and Lyla's relationship. Julie and Matt attempt to go out on a date but it is cursed from the beginning.The Panthers are in much anticipation for their upcoming game against the Gatling High.

    Directors:Jonas Pate, Josh Pate
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 10 - It's Different for Girls
    7.9/10(830 votes)

    #10 - It's Different for Girls

    S1:E10

    The cheerleaders prepare for Championship Classic. Lyla is picked on when people find out about her and Riggins. Coach Taylor tries to keep Matt and Julie apart. Jason goes home after being released from rehab.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 11 - Nevermind
    8.1/10(834 votes)

    #11 - Nevermind

    S1:E11

    The Panthers are preparing for another game they can't lose. Matt's father comes back from Iraq but his mother's condition is difficult to take in.Tami Taylor sees Tim Riggins regarding his grades. She believes he's not doing his homework by himself and asks Landry to tutor him for his next oral exam. If he doesn't pass, he won't play in the football team.

    Director:Jonas Pate
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 12 - What to Do While You're Waiting
    7.8/10(811 votes)

    #12 - What to Do While You're Waiting

    S1:E12

    The Panther's fate is hung up on the result of a game between two other teams and there is nothing they can do about it.Meanwhile, there is tension at the Street's house because of the lawsuit they introduced against Coach Taylor.Matt's father has a hard time adjusting back to real life.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 13 - Little Girl I Wanna Marry You
    7.8/10(806 votes)

    #13 - Little Girl I Wanna Marry You

    S1:E13

    The Panthers have only one more game to win in order to qualify for the play-offs. Smash's mother discovers something that could end his football dreams.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Jason Katims

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  14. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 14 - Upping the Ante
    7.8/10(778 votes)

    #14 - Upping the Ante

    S1:E14

    The Panthers prepare for their first playoff game.Coach Taylor gets distracted as he has to come up with a solution to Smash's use of drugs. Tyra and Julie befriend while Riggins bonds with his alienated father.Buddy learns about Jason and Lyla's engagement.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:David Hudgins

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  15. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 15 - Blinders
    7.9/10(836 votes)

    #15 - Blinders

    S1:E15

    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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  16. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 16 - Black Eyes & Broken Hearts
    8.5/10(833 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 17 - I Think We Should Have Sex
    8.2/10(802 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.

    Director:Allison Liddi-Brown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 18 - Extended Families
    7.8/10(725 votes)

    #18 - Extended Families

    S1:E18

    Lyla makes a surprise visit to the quad rugby camp where Jason is playing at, but she doesn't find the comfort she came looking for.Buddy Garrity's affair with Tyra's mother comes out. Consequently, Buddy decides to move in with the Taylors.Smash becomes suspicious about Waverly when she goes for a midnight swim with him.

    Director:Charles Stone III
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 19 - Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
    8.1/10(740 votes)

    #19 - Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

    S1:E19

    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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  20. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 20 - Mud Bowl
    8.8/10(909 votes)

    #20 - 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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  21. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 21 - Best Laid Plans
    8.2/10(725 votes)

    #21 - Best Laid Plans

    S1:E21

    Coach Taylor buckles under the pressure from Texas Methodist University. The news of his decision is not taken lightly by his family. Riggins faces the impending consequences of his relationship. Landry wonders whether he should tell someone about Tyra's situation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Carter Harris

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  22. Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 22 - State
    8.9/10(897 votes)

    #22 - 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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights" season 1. It scored 8.4/10 based on 1546 votes. Directed by Peter Berg and written by Peter Berg, it aired on 10/3/2006. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Eyes Wide Open".