Scott Mitchell is “probable” to start at quarterback for the Bengals on Sunday, coach Dick LeBeau said Friday.

        Mitchell missed last week's game against Pittsburgh because of a sprained left knee. This week, his mo bility was better as he took 60 percent of the practice snaps and Akili Smith took 40 percent.

        “I think probable's a good word,” LeBeau said. “We're gonna see how Scott's knee responds, but he looks better every day.”

        Mitchell took the majority of snaps at Friday's practice.

        “I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to go,” he said.

        LeBeau said Mitchell probably won't need a Sunday morning test, as he did last week before the Pittsburgh game.

        “I don't think that will be necessary, unless some complications develop between today's workout and Sunday,” LeBeau said.

        FROZEN BIRDS: Bengals fans believe their team might have an advantage Sunday on warm-weather Arizona, with temperatures expected to be in the 30s. But LeBeau said the weather is not as big a factor as some like to think.

        “It comes down to what happens those 60 snaps that each offense has the ball, and those 20 snaps that special teams are in,” LeBeau said. “That's why they play the game. Neither team's a dome team, so they're both used to playing outdoors.

        “It'll be a little colder for them, but I don't know if it's gonna be so cold that that would be a factor.”

        HAPPY HOLIDAYS: The Bengals are entering their favorite month, December.

        Since 1990, the Bengals have played their best football after Dec.1, going 20-21 for a .488 winning percentage.

        The Bengals' records by month, since 1990:

        • September: 10-31 (.243)

        • October: 8-36 (.182)

        • November: 16-30 (.348)

        • December: 20-21 (.488)

        December totals include January games, with some regular-season finales in the first week of January.

        McGEE TO SIGN: Tight end Tony McGee will be the next Bengal to sign autographs at the team's weekly Pro Shop gathering, from noon to 1p.m. Tuesday at Paul Brown Stadium.

        FRIDAY INACTIVES: LB JoJuan Armour, FB Clif Groce, WR LaVell Boyd and RB Curtis Keaton were placed on the inactive list for Sunday's game. The team will place three more players on the list Sunday morning.

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