speed and range of Airport Extreme compared to Verizon FiOS router

I imagine this question has been asked before, but thoughts about the speed and range of Airport Extreme v. the "stock" Verizon FiOS router?

I've also read concerns about needing to use the bridge setting with Airport Extreme when it's plugged into the Verizon router. I have a slightly different set up where the FiOS input cable is split into the Verizon FiOS router and a separate direct connection to a cable modem (i.e. it doesn't pass through the Verizon router). I was thinking of plugging the Airport Extreme directly into the cable modem. If I plug the Extreme into the cable modem, would that allow for full functionality of the Airport Extreme? Would I have to use the bridge setting?