THE NFL PLAYOFFS : Giants, Bears Look in Mirror, See Backup Quarterbacks : NFC playoffs: Hostetler and Tomczak figure to hand off in a game of conservative offenses, tough defenses.

If you’re the type who thinks a football game is boring when fewer than 75 points are scored, you may want to mow the lawn this morning.

Today’s Backup Bowl, as some are calling the NFC Divisional playoff matchup between New York and Chicago at Giants Stadium, undoubtedly will feature a lot of Giant reserve quarterback Jeff Hostetler and Bear backup Mike Tomczak handing off. And there will be a lot of Andersons--New York’s Ottis and Chicago’s Neal--bashing at the middle of the line.

But, heck, maybe you can talk grandpa into getting out his leather helmet, and the family can sit around the den and relive the ‘30s.

Call it adventures in low-risk football. These teams are mirror images of conservatism, franchises built on rock defenses and rolling ground attacks.

“There’s no question it will be a head-knocker, with lots of slobber flying around out there,” Dan Hampton, the Bears’ veteran defensive tackle said. “The last man standing will probably win it.”

But Giant Coach Bill Parcells doesn’t much like the suggestion that this game is a throwback.

“That’s what everybody likes to say,” Parcells said, “I don’t think so. These are teams built with something in mind. You get a philosophy and you try to be consistent with it and not deviate. That’s one of the common denominators with successful teams.”

Success, however, has been measured for both the Giants (13-3) and the Bears (11-6). Both fairly staggered into the playoffs. New York split its last six games after a 10-0 start and was barely good enough to beat Minnesota, Phoenix and New England. The Bears, who beat New Orleans, 16-6, in a first-round playoff game last week, lost four of their last six regular-season games.

There’s no question that lots of good defense will be played. Both teams are balanced defensively. The Giants are fourth in the NFL against the rush, sixth against the pass and second overall. The Bears are seventh against the run, No. 10 against the pass and sixth overall.

So, with a dominant defense on the field all the time and a couple of offenses without much inclination to throw the ball even when their No. 1 quarterbacks are behind center, what is the significance of the Hostetler-Tomczak matchup?

“Let’s be realistic,” Hampton said. “It’s not like Dan Marino has gone down for them. Hostetler’s not expected to throw for 400 yards.

“He’s the guy who takes the snaps, gives the ball to the big back, lets the offensive line do what it has to do and converts on third down. He’s not supposed to wear an S on his chest. He’s just supposed to win.”

And when he isn’t handing off, Hostetler may be running the ball himself. Bear Coach Mike Ditka says Philadelphia’s Randall Cunningham is the only quarterback in the league who runs better than Hostetler.

“He puts a lot of pressure on you,” Ditka said. “You have to take a guy out of coverage on the nickel to watch him.”

Hostetler is a seven-year veteran, but Tomczak, who is 23-10 as a Bear starter, has much more experience. The last time he faced the Giants was the 1987 season opener, and he completed 20 of 34 passes for 292 yards as the Bears’ romped, 34-19.

“The way he played against us last time, he has a place reserved in Canton,” defensive coordinator Bill Belichick said. “I’m sure he’s been waiting three years for the chance to get up against us again.”

Tomczak was competent--and completed two clutch passes--during last week’s victory over the Saints, finishing with 12 completions on 25 attempts for 166 yards. But a week earlier, he was booed at Soldier Field when he completed only five of 23 passes in the regular-season finale against Kansas City.

Tomczak thinks third-down efficiency and the Bears’ ability to put the ball in the end zone from inside the 20-yard line will be the key.

“We have to come away with points when get inside the 20,” he said. “And we have to keep our drives going on third down. Last week, we were only 30%. If we can get it up to 50%, that will tell the story.”

Now the only question is whether or not they can keep the spectators awake long enough to see the final chapter.

NFC Notes

New York Coach Bill Parcells has yet to name a starting running back and says the decision may not be made until game time, but it’s likely Ottis Anderson will get the nod over rookie Rodney Hampton. “With a high-pressure game under adverse conditions, you’re going to start the experienced guy,” Parcells said. “But if conditions are good and you get good field position, I might start Rodney. But Hampton is going to have natural nervousness that O.J. won’t have.”

The Bears will be playing a postseason game on the road for the first time in six years. They have played host to five playoff games since winning the Super Bowl after the 1985 season. . . . The teams were 1-2 in the NFC in the take-away department. The Giants were plus 20 and the Bears were plus 19. And Chicago led the NFL in interceptions with 31. Rookie safety Mark Carrier had his 11th interception of the season last week against the Saints. . . . The Giants are favored, but New York linebacker Lawrence Taylor said: “Throw all that stuff out. This is playoff time. Whatever has happened before has no bearing.”