Divided into NFL conferences and then sections. Those divisions and discussions are the most important, with only a few games remaining in the regular season. To qualify for the playoffs, teams try to win their divisions (or have the best or second-best record among non-division winners in their games).
There are multiple teams with better records than, say, Dallas or Philadelphia makes no sense because one or the other of those two teams will win the division and advance to the playoffs. At the same time, there is no guarantee that all the teams with the best records will become wild card teams.
The system can be a bit shady this time of year, especially when the department has multiple teams with boring records, but it all makes sense when you keep an eye on things.
See the complete NFL Standings page.
