On the rare instances when reality and hype see eye to eye, it’s a beautiful thing.

Especially when it’s concerning Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers, and also at the expense of the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers may have been smarting for the last eight months after the 49ers ended their season at Candlestick Park in the NFC playoffs, but they ultimately met a similar fate on Sunday as the 49ers nipped Green Bay 34-28 at the ‘Stick in both teams’ season opener.

The 49ers have been touted as a potential Super Bowl-winning team and Kaepernick has been touted as the next great 49ers quarterback for a franchise that has had plenty.

Neither disappointed.

Kaepernick had a career day against the not-so-slouchy Packers, tossing three touchdowns and amassing 412 passing yards. He became the first 49ers gunslinger to eclipse the 400-yard mark since Tim Rattay did so in 2004. Side note: Tim Rattay? Tim Rattay.

The quarterback’s new best friend did OK, too: wide receiver Anquan Boldin made a fast impression on San Francisco, catching 13 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown.

“We knew they were going to come in ready to play after what happened in the playoffs,” Boldin told the Associated Press. “We had to come out and match their intensity.”

Unfortunately, it couldn’t all be good news for the 49ers. Reports emerged in the game’s aftermath that a 49ers fan fell to his death during the game, according to KTVU.

San Francisco faces division rival and expected Super Bowl-contender Seattle next week in the Pacific Northwest.

Just (almost) win, baby. 

A loss is a loss, but at least there was silver lining for the silver and black: it was close?

The Indianapolis Colts, a season removed from a playoff appearance, were expected to roll up the visiting Raiders with minimal resistance.

While Oakland ultimately fell 21-17, the Raiders gave their hosts much more trouble than expected.

Presumed backup weeks ago Terrelle Pryor provided a much-needed spark that has eluded the Raiders in recent seasons, burning the Colts with his legs by means of a 112-yard rushing performance.

It was a franchise record for rushing by a Raiders quarterback. Unfortunately, the Raiders could do little else to stop the Colts and former Stanford standout Andrew Luck. 

Pryor's fireworks with his feet were also mooted by his arm, as he also threw two interceptions. 

The Raiders play host to the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener next week.

Perfection was just that close.

In an otherwise whatever year for the San Francisco Giants, Yusmeiro Petit was one strike away from putting a monumental positive note on a forgettable season in San Francisco.

Petit, a 28-year-old making only his fourth appearance of the season, was a strike away from pitching a perfect game during the Giants’ 3-0 win on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But with a full count and two outs in the ninth inning, longtime Oakland Athletic Eric Chavezdumped a single into right field right in front of the diving Hunter Pence to foil Petit’s bid for perfection.

It’s been that kind of year for the Giants. 

Perfection more than a few strikes away: @seanswaby