The Cincinnati Bengals have played the Pittsburgh Steelers at least twice in 41 of the past 42 seasons, but there still is going to be an unfamiliar feel when the two teams meet four days from now in primetime on Sunday Night Football.

That’s because for the first time since 2006, and only the seventh time in the last 43 meetings, Pittsburgh enters a game against the Bengals with a losing record.

But if the Bengals (3-3) think they are catching the Steelers (2-3) at a good time, they might want to check history.

Eight of the last nine times Pittsburgh has brought a losing record into a game against Cincinnati, the Steelers have walked away victorious, including that 2006 season finale when Ben Roethlisberger hit Santonio Holmes with a 67-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime for a 23-17 victory that kept the Bengals out of the playoffs and evened Pittsburgh’s record at 8-8.

The only time in the last 22 years Cincinnati has beat a Steelers team with a losing record was in 2003, a 24-20 triumph on the road that dropped Pittsburgh to 4-8.

Here is an early scouting report of this year’s version of the Steelers:

OFFENSE

The Steelers enter this week ranked 16^th in the NFL in total offense, and perhaps a bigger aberration than their 2-3 record is the lack of a running game. Averaging just 74.8 yards per contest on the ground, the Steelers rank 31^st — next to last — in rushing offense.

Injuries to running backs Isaac Redman (ankle) and Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) are a big reason for that, and things got worse in the Steelers’ 26-23 loss to the Titans on Oct. 11 when center Maurkice Pouncey went down with an MCL that likely will keep him out of Sunday’s game. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert and right guard Ramon Foster also were banged up against the Titans.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Mike Wallace have been productive enough to balance the lack of a ground game. The Steelers rank seventh in the NFL in passing offense at 285.8 yards per game.

DEFENSE

Injuries have been an issue on the defensive side of the ball as well for the Steelers, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at their numbers.

Even with safety Troy Polamalu and linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley missing games, Pittsburgh ranks fifth in total defense, surrendering just 295.8 yards per game.

With just six takeaways, the Steelers rank 24^th in that category. But they own the fourth best pass defense (200.8 ypg), and their rush defense ranks 10^th (95.0 ypg).

It’s been a prototypical team effort, as Pittsburgh doesn’t have a single player ranked in the top 30 in the league in tackles, sacks or interceptions. Linebacker Jason Worilds team-high three sacks rank 33^rd.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Shaun Suisham is 11-of-12 on field goal attempts this year with a long of 52. Both the 52-yarder and his lone miss came in the 26-23 loss at Tennessee in the Steelers’ last game. The miss was a 54 yarder that would have tied the game with 49 seconds to go.

Pittsburgh punter Drew Butler ranks 31^st in the league with a 42.4-yard average, and his net average of 37.3 ranks 29^th.

THE SERIES

The Steelers lead 51-32, including 23-18 in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is 11-2 at Paul Brown Stadium since it opened in 2000.

Overall the Steelers have won four in a row against the Bengals and nine of the last 11.