Hostetler Again Trying to Overcome the Odds : Football: Only two backup quarterbacks have led their teams to Super Bowl victories. But the Giants’ reserve has already defied those who told him he couldn’t get this far.

TAMPA, Fla. —  Here is how unlikely it would be for Jeff Hostetler to lead the New York Giants to victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Super Bowl XXV: Only two backup quarterbacks who have taken over as a starter during the regular season have won a Super Bowl.

Jim Plunkett took over for Dan Pastorini early in the 1980 season and eventually won Super Bowl XV for the Oakland Raiders. And Doug Williams replaced Jay Schroeder midway through the 1987 season and led the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII. But remember this about Plunkett and Williams: Before becoming starters during the championship seasons, both had several years’ experience as starters. Before replacing the injured Phil Simms Dec. 15, Hostetler had just two NFL starts to his credit.

“They keep telling me I can’t do it,” Hostetler said after the Giants’ 15-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park. “Now, I’m going to the Super Bowl.”

After beating Joe Montana and his team of the 1980s, Hostetler now sets his sights on Jim Kelly and the Buffalo Bills, whose no-huddle offense looks to be the wave of the ‘90s. One more win, and Hostetler has his piece of NFL history all to himself.

The backdrop for Sunday’s game is entirely in keeping with Hostetler’s unlikely journey through the playoffs. The Bills are favored by five to six points to win, and many observers say there’s no way for the Giants to stop Buffalo’s relentless offense.

There may be one major change this week, however. There may be fewer questions about whether Hostetler can survive his most difficult test. Hostetler continued to win his teammates’ confidence by completing 15 of 27 passes for 176 yards and giving up no interceptions against the 49ers. And perhaps he won over a few skeptics as well.

“He played like a champion again,” said wide receiver Stephen Baker, whose 13-yard sideline catch with 1:10 to go in the fourth quarter helped set up Matt Bahr’s winning field goal with no time remaining. “He was calm and cool, just like he always is. He knew he could make plays, and he made a lot out there, scrambling and hitting guys.”