there are 4 divisions (east, west, north, south) in the AFC and NFC. the winner of each division gets an automatic spot in the playoffs. then the 2 teams with the best records that didnt win their division get a spot, and theres several tie breaking procedures to determine it. the top two teams of each conference get a bye the first week, so the other 2 division winners each play a wild card team. NFC only play each other in the playoffs, except for the super bowl.