Make it to the playoffs (7)
I believe the answer is:
contend
'make it to the playoffs' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for contend that I've seen before include "Struggle; assert" , "Tend NCO (anag.)" , "Compete; deal (with)" , "Maintain" , "Struggle in rivalry" .)