Aspects of a method and system for energy efficient networking via packet inspection are provided. In various embodiments of the invention, a network device may include one or more circuits operable to inspect one or both of ingress and/or egress packets in the network device. The one or more processors may be operable to predict traffic in the network device based on the inspection. The one or more processors may be operable to, based on the predicted traffic, control a mode of operation of the network device to manage power consumption in the network device. A downlink path within the network device may be configured based on inspection of packets conveyed along a corresponding uplink path. An uplink path within the network device may be configured based on inspection of packets conveyed along a corresponding downlink path.