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

5 Seasons
76 Episodes
Ended
Drama
Cast & Characters
The Son
9.6/10 (1106 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.

Always
9.6/10 (1300 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.

Underdogs
9.1/10 (599 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.

Thanksgiving
9.1/10 (596 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.

Texas Whatever
9.0/10 (527 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.

State
8.9/10 (866 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.

Tomorrow Blues
8.9/10 (546 votes)

#7 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.

Mud Bowl
8.8/10 (876 votes)

#8 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.

Hello, Goodbye
8.8/10 (581 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.

Laboring
8.7/10 (482 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.

Kingdom
8.7/10 (475 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.

New York, New York
8.6/10 (518 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.

Don't Go
8.6/10 (450 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.

The March
8.6/10 (454 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.

East of Dillon
8.5/10 (550 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."

A Sort of Homecoming
8.5/10 (484 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.

Pilot
8.4/10 (1490 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.

Black Eyes & Broken Hearts
8.4/10 (801 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.

Leave No One Behind
8.4/10 (564 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.

Stay
8.4/10 (493 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.

Perfect Record
8.4/10 (433 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.

Gut Check
8.4/10 (429 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.

There Goes the Neighborhood
8.3/10 (573 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.

The Giving Tree
8.3/10 (467 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.

A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
8.3/10 (478 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.

The Right Hand of the Father
8.3/10 (461 votes)

#26 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.

I Think We Should Have Sex
8.2/10 (773 votes)

#27 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.

Game of the Week
8.2/10 (466 votes)

#28 Game of the Week

S3:E9

Tim returns to find both good and bad surprises. Coach has to change his plans and reluctantly supports Tami when she feels obligated to help Tyra out of a jam. Saracen has second thoughts and clashes with Shelby. Lyla and Mindy team up.

After the Fall
8.2/10 (483 votes)

#29 After the Fall

S4:E2

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.

Keep Looking
8.2/10 (433 votes)

#30 Keep Looking

S5:E4

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.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
8.1/10 (714 votes)

#31 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.

Best Laid Plans
8.1/10 (698 votes)

#32 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.

Let's Get It On
8.1/10 (589 votes)

#33 Let's Get It On

S2:E5

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.

I Knew You When
8.1/10 (508 votes)

#34 I Knew You When

S3:E1

In the third-season opener, Eric fights to keep his job and helps Smash rebound. Elsewhere, Tami faces new challenges as principal; Tyra frets over college; Billy proposes; and tension escalates between Lyla and Riggins.

How the Other Half Lives
8.1/10 (475 votes)

#35 How the Other Half Lives

S3:E3

Coach worries and fears for his job as Tami befriends Katie McCoy. The pressure is on Matt as everyone's hopes turn to the new quarterback. Matt's friendly with Julie. Billy drags Tim into a risky scheme to get them out of debt. Lyla cautions Tim.

It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy
8.1/10 (480 votes)

#36 It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy

S3:E6

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.

Keeping Up Appearances
8.1/10 (477 votes)

#37 Keeping Up Appearances

S3:E7

Eric and Tami try to calm Jamarca's angry parents; Billy helps Tim pursue a scholarship; and Jason, Herc and the Riggins brothers receive good news.

Toilet Bowl
8.1/10 (445 votes)

#38 Toilet Bowl

S4:E8

Eric realizes that East Dillon's problems aren't only on the field; Jess tries to choose between Vince and Landry; Luke's injury takes a toll on him; and Riggins makes a decision that could backfire.

I Can't
8.1/10 (451 votes)

#39 I Can't

S4:E10

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.

Injury List
8.1/10 (446 votes)

#40 Injury List

S4:E11

The team can't focus on their next game. Tami gets involved in a controversy. Vince wants to end his deal with Kennard. Julie gets an unexpected phone call from Matt.

Cast & Chracters

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor

Actor: Kyle Chandler
Tami Taylor

Tami Taylor

Actor: Connie Britton
Julie Taylor

Julie Taylor

Actor: Aimee Teegarden
Vince Howard

Vince Howard

Actor: Michael B. Jordan
Jess Merriweather

Jess Merriweather

Actor: Jurnee Smollett
Becky Sproles

Becky Sproles

Actor: Dora Madison
Hastings Ruckle

Hastings Ruckle

Actor: Grey Damon
Luke Cafferty

Luke Cafferty

Actor: Matt Lauria

The highest rated episode of Friday Night Lights is "The Son" (S4E5) with a rating of 9.60.

This episode received 1,106 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Bad Ideas" (S2E2) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 610 votes.

The highest rated episode is "State" (S1E22) with a rating of 8.90.

This episode received 866 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Who's Your Daddy" (S1E4) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 894 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Leave No One Behind" (S2E14) with a rating of 8.40.

This episode received 564 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Bad Ideas" (S2E2) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 610 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Underdogs" (S3E12) with a rating of 9.10.

This episode received 599 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" (S3E5) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 461 votes.

The highest rated episode is "The Son" (S4E5) with a rating of 9.60.

This episode received 1,106 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "In the Skin of a Lion" (S4E3) with a rating of 8.00.

This episode received 465 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Always" (S5E13) with a rating of 9.60.

This episode received 1,300 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "On the Outside Looking In" (S5E2) with a rating of 7.80.

This episode received 439 votes.

Name Department Job
Brian Grazer Production Executive Producer
Bridget Carpenter Production Producer
Cindy Kerber Production Producer
David Hudgins Production Executive Producer
David Nevins Production Executive Producer
Jason Katims Production Executive Producer
John Cameron Production Co-Executive Producer
John Zinman Production Producer
Katie O'Hara Production Producer
Kerry Ehrin Production Producer
Liz Heldens Production Producer
Michael Waxman Production Producer
Nan Bernstein Freed Production Producer
Peter Berg Production Executive Producer
Rolin Jones Production Producer
Ron Fitzgerald Production Producer
Sarah Aubrey Production Executive Producer

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