Friday Night Lights backdrop

Friday Night Lights poster

Drama

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 9.8/10

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

Airs on

Seasons5

#1 Fan Favorite
Click to reveal
9.8/10(6 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
9.3/10(6 votes)
#3 - The Son
S4:E512/2/2009
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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Rolin Jones
9.3/10(3 votes)
#4 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Kyle Chandler
Writer:Kerry Ehrin
9.0/10(2 votes)
#5 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Jason Katims
9.0/10(2 votes)
#6 - Laboring
S4:E122/3/2010
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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Adam Davidson
Writer:Rolin Jones

The 20 WORST Episodes of Friday Night Lights

9.0/10(2 votes)
#7 - Thanksgiving
S4:E132/10/2010
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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Jason Katims
9.0/10(2 votes)
#8 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:Peter Berg
9.0/10(2 votes)
#9 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Adam Davidson
Writer:Peter Berg
9.0/10(2 votes)
#10 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Peter Berg
8.7/10(3 votes)
#11 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:David Hudgins
8.7/10(3 votes)
#12 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writer:Unknown
8.7/10(3 votes)
#13 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.7/10(3 votes)
#14 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.7/10(3 votes)
#15 - After the Fall
S4:E211/4/2009
A controversy at West Dillon puts star player Luke Cafferty on the Lions' roster. Elsewhere, Coach tries to reenergize his demoralized team and Tami takes an unpopular stand. Meanwhile, Matt meets an uncouth local artist and Tim finds a new living situation in an unexpected place.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.6/10(8 votes)
#16 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Peter Berg
Writer:Peter Berg
8.5/10(2 votes)
#17 - The Lights in Carroll Park
S4:E91/13/2010
Coach talks tough to shady characters when trying to clean up a park ridden with drugs and gang violence. Becky discovers she's pregnant. Jess's relationship with Landry is heating up. Julie makes a new friend.
Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.5/10(2 votes)
#18 - I Can't
S4:E101/20/2010
Riggins puts Tami in a tough spot; Julie asks a friend to dinner; Vince’s mom has a health crisis; Luke’s parents look for ways to help him; and Eric is urged to change his coaching style.
Director:Ami Canaan Mann
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Ami Canaan Mann
Writer:Unknown
8.5/10(2 votes)
#19 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Peter Berg
8.3/10(3 votes)
#20 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Jason Katims
8.3/10(3 votes)
#21 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Jason Katims
Writer:Unknown
8.3/10(3 votes)
#22 - 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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.3/10(3 votes)
#23 - East of Dillon
S4:E110/28/2009
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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Peter Berg
Writer:Jason Katims
8.3/10(3 votes)
#24 - In the Skin of a Lion
S4:E311/11/2009
Coach betrays Tami's trust over a financial decision. tensions between Vince and Luke threaten the team's chances on the field. Tim helps Coach condition his players. Julie doesn't want to go to church.
Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Patrick R. Norris
Writers:Patrick Massett, John Zinman
8.3/10(3 votes)
#25 - A Sort of Homecoming
S4:E411/18/2009
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
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Etan Frankel

Best Episodes Summary

"Always" is the best rated episode of "Friday Night Lights". It scored 9.8/10 based on 6 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".