Y'know, a lotta people say "make the playoffs." Which makes it like there are 7 playoff spots, and you've got one. Like a golden ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (except more earned not random).
But maybe it's better to think about it Artifactual's way. Teams are eliminated until the season's end. If you've not been eliminated, you win a spot in the playoffs. Like musical chairs. Or the Hunger Games.