country". Works both ways.

This is not determined on the field at all. Sometimes in the NFL the "best" team does not win- they have to first win their division, though. For instance- I think the Broncos probably will not make the playoffs even though there might be some teams that get in from other divisions that are not as good as they have been. (I also know NFL and CFB are apples and oranges, so just trying to show how playoffs do not always produce the "best teams"-- losing your conference or division should have some consequences)