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Minnesota had 19 sacks in getting off to a 5-0 start before having just three during a four-game losing streak. But the Vikings had four in Sunday’s 30-24 win over Arizona at U.S. Bank Stadium.

“Our pass rush came back,’’ said defensive end Brian Robison.

It was Robison who said Minnesota’s defensive line could be “one of the best to ever wear purple’’ after the team had 15 sacks in the first three games. Until Sunday, Robison had gone four games without a sack.

But the avid fisherman, who pretends to use a rod and reel during his sack dance, got one against Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer. Defensive end Danielle Hunter had two and safety Harrison Smith one.

“Coach (Mike Zimmer) told us to just keep pounding,’’ Hunter said. “So we just kept rushing and rushing.’’

The Vikings changed their strategy. They didn’t blitz as much, instead sending the four defensive linemen at Palmer while linebackers were used in coverage.

Once the Vikings took a 30-17 lead, they could be more aggressive because they knew Palmer had to throw. Even when they didn’t get sacks, they applied plenty of pressure.

“Once you get up on the scoreboard, it’s hard to do short passes,’’ said nose tackle Linval Joseph. “You got to throw the ball down the field and to do that, you have to hold the ball longer and we put them in a situation to do that. That was the difference maker.’’

Two of Minnesota’s sacks came after the Cardinals took over on their 13-yard line with 2:20 remaining in a last-ditch chance to win the game. Smith sacked Palmer for a loss of 9 and Hunter clinched the game when he dumped Palmer for a 15-yard loss when Arizona had fourth and 6 at its 34 with 44 seconds remaining.

“We got them in a situation where they had to throw the ball and we were able to pin our ears back and do what I feel we like to do best,’’ Robison said.

In the first half, though, it wasn’t as easy. The Cardinals rolled up 263 yards and were mixing the run and the pass well.

The Vikings, though, clamped down in the second half, allowing just 27 yards.

“We played the run much better,’’ Robison said.

After rushing for 89 yards in the first half, Arizona’s David Johnson had just 14 in the second half to finish with 103 on 22 carries.

All of the sacks on Palmer were in the second half. After he competed 11 of 19 passes for 153 yards in the first half, he threw for just 45 yards the rest of the way. He finished 20 of 38 for 198 yards.

Meanwhile, Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was sacked just twice. One came when T.J. Clemmings was beaten for a sack by Chandler Jones midway through the fourth quarter, and Bradford lost a fumble at his 27. Palmer soon hit Johnson for a 4-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 30-24.

Clemmings moved from right tackle to the left to replace Jake Long, out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, while Jeremiah Sirles took over on the right side. Despite some struggles, Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer said the “offensive line protected well for the most part.’’

Still, the Vikings this season have given up as many sacks (26) as they’ve had. That’s a number they want to change.