A data flow is received at a network processor that includes a plurality of frames. A first set of frames in the plurality of frames are passed from the network processor to a general processor for processing by the general processor. A flow acceleration request is received at the network processor from the general processor based at least in part on inspection of a first frame in the first set of frames. The flow acceleration request is received subsequent to passing at least two of the first set of frames to the general processor. A particular frame in the plurality of frames received subsequent to the first set of frames is processed by the network processor such that it is accelerated relative to processing of the first set of frames by the general processor and bypasses the general processor.