TAMPA - Twenty teams are home for the holidays as the NFL's annual churn of playoff rosters continues unabated.

The NFC belted a grand slam - producing four new division champions in 2008 - while only Pittsburgh and San Diego repeated in the AFC. And give the Chargers an asterisk because that 4-8 start would have doomed them in any division other than the wretched AFC West.

For the 13th consecutive year, America's most popular sport tossed at least five new teams into the playoff hopper.

That's the kind of turnover ratio Commissioner Roger Goodell relishes as fans in all 32 NFL outposts keep hope alive.

Yes, even in Motown, where Lions fans huddle in misery to compare the tracks of their tears.

The defending champion Giants are the only NFC team to reclaim a postseason spot. That's a remarkable makeover ? even by NFL standards.

The Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens, each with a first-time head coach and a new quarterback, offer fresh proof that NFL clubs don't have to suffer through a long, gradual process of improvement.

Miami, Atlanta and Baltimore went from the division basement to postseason play by overhauling the roster, the coaching staff and a losing mind-set.

The breakthrough teams of 2009 are watching the NFL's new power elite, forming similar blueprints to emerge from the rubble.

Here's a look at some struggling franchises that could rise in the fall.

*The 49ers have their leader on the sidelines in Mike Singletary and their field general in Shaun Hill, whose 87.5 passer rating is better than half the starting quarterbacks in this year's playoff field.

Pass protection is a major priority for San Francisco and the 49ers topped the NFL with 35 giveaways. If the 49ers land some new offensive linemen and a big-play receiver, they can make a big move in the NFC West.

*The Chiefs have lost 26 of their last 32 games, but KC doesn't have to be down for long.

A strong 2008 draft class should mature, but the pass rush sorely missed Jared Allen, posting an absurd 10 sacks on the season. Carl Peterson's replacement as GM must decide whether to retain Coach Herm Edwards and stick with young QB Tyler Thigpen, who showed some promise in '08.

*After seven years, Houston owner Bob McNair is still awaiting his first winning season.

The 8-8 Texans have big-time talents in WR Andre Johnson, DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans. Steve Slaton, an astute third-round pick from West Virginia, topped all rookie backs with 1,282 yards.

So what's the problem, Houston?

Try 70 giveaways in the past two years. The Texans keep beating themselves, frustrating their fans and the man who signs the checks.

Keep a close eye on the Texans, Chiefs and 49ers next season. In a league where the times are always a-changin', the loser now will be later to win.

Copyright ? 2009, The Tampa Tribune and may not be republished without permission. E-mail library@tampatrib.com