Blogdom's Best: Minnesota Vikings

It might not — yet — have the online fanaticism and cachet of baseball, but the NFL and its fans are starting to catch up in the world of team-devoted blogs. To this end, Deadspin salutes these modem-addled souls and proudly presents Blogdom's Best, given to the most outstanding blog for each NFL team. There are fewer than there are for baseball, but they're out there, if you look. If you would like to nominate a blog (yours, even) for selection, just let us know at [email protected]. Today: The Minnesota Vikings.

Think you know heartache? Unless you're a Minnesota Vikings fan, you don't know heartache, my friend. Others may claim the title of most woebegone NFL city, but no team has come so close, so many times, over such an extended period, with so little to show for it. Not even the Buffalo Bills. And that's saying something. Their first head coach, Bud Grant, is famous for not allowing heaters on the sidelines during bitterly cold games in Metropolitan Stadium. Yes, the Vikings are a hearty breed, like their fans. It may be cold and miserable, their cars buried in two feet of snow. But hope springs eternal with their football team. This year just may be the year they go all the way, ya know. Ya. It could. Vikings blogs are plentiful and good, specializing in everything from the whimsical longing for a new stadium (the Greet Machine) to the art of tailgating (Vikingstailgate). One blog even ponders the remarkable resemblance between head coach Mike Tice and Homer Simpson (West Indian Girl). Yes, it was tough to narrow the field down to three, but we did it. Here they are. 3. Minnesota Sports. Musings on the Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves, every day, with an emphasis on the sport in season. Thoughtful writing and a great place to soak in the flavor of the region. 2. Purple Pride. Great writing; they had us at hello: "The weather today could have been a stark metaphor for the mood of Vikings fans going into what is considered the biggest game of the year for us ... We left the dome with a beautiful fall afternoon on our hands and a thrilling last minute victory. It was warmer, sunny and matched the elation of Vikings fans as Culpepper out-Favred Favre and the slacking Pack." 1. Mr. Cheer or Die's Viking Underground. A renowned Vikings blog and one of our favorites of any team, anywhere. All Vikings, all the time ... this guy is so dedicated that he is still posting links to the Vikings sex boat scandal, even though you know it's killing him to do so.

(Thursday: The Miami Dolphins)