puzzle rating v actual playing strength

Puzzles indicate that there is a great move. Sometimes, in a real game, there isn't one.

However, this goes both ways. Your real opponent in a real game is equally as lost.

Playing computers are different though so I don't think that is a good comparison. When I play computers of one rank and people of the same rank, I often have a harder time with the computer.

Sure. I have some reservations about playing computers too as they often make ludicrous moves that no human would ever play. At my measly level they are also pretty poor in the endgame lacking the ability for schematic thought.